Introduction
Ram Mandir situated at Ayodhya. Ayodhya is a North Indian town situated in the Faizabad district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It has some connections with Hindus and Muslims of India. For Hindus, Ayodhya existed as a Shaibic centre for many centuries,later it became a dominant Vaishnavite place. Sri Rama, considered an incarnation of Lord Sri Hari Vishnu, is a widely worshiped Hindu king. Epic Ramayana, described Shree Rama was born in Ayodhya. It is known as Ram Janmabhoomi or birthplace of Rama in the age of Treta (Treta yog). Later king Vikramaditya constructed a huge Ayodhya Ram Mandir on the birth site of ShreeRam. During Mughal rule the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was destroyed to construct Babri Masjid in 1528. Ayodhya was established as a major pilgrim centre in North India since centuries. In 1991 it was estimated there were six thousand Hindu temples in the area. Muslims story was their attachment to Ayodhya was from pre Islamic period, with the burial of Seth, one of the children of Adam and also Noah at Ayodhya. Ayodhya was ruled by Muslim rullers from, 11th century. The first Mughal Emperor Babar defeated the ruler of Ayodhya, and built a mosque in Ayodhya in 1528. Ayodhya is considered as small Mecca, because of the large number of Muslim scholars, including sufi saints and other religious figures, who are believed to be buried there. Hindu alleges that Babar destroyed a magnificent and ancient Ram Mandir to build his Babri Masjid. The Muslim view is that the mosque was built on an empty space there was no Ram Mandir .
Litigation
In year 1528 Mughal emperor Babar’s commander Mir Baqi built a mosque (at the disputed site). Regarding this, the Hindu community claimed that this place was the birthplace of Lord Ram and there was an ancient Ram Mandir. According to the Hindu side, the birthplace of Lord Rama or the Ram Mandir was burried below the main dome. Babri Masjid had three domes. The first riots took place around this place in 1853. In 1859 the British administration erected a fence around the disputed site. Muslims were allowed to worship inside the structure and Hindus were allowed to worship outside on the platform.In Year 1949 the real controversy started on 23 December 1949, when idols of Lord Ram were found in the mosque. Hindus said that Lord Rama had appeared, while Muslims alleged that someone quietly placed the idols there at night. The UP government ordered the removal of the statues, but District Magistrate (DM) KK Nair expressed his inability to carry out the order for fear of riots and inflaming Hindu sentiments. The government considered it a disputed structure and got it locked.In year 1950 two applications were filed in Faizabad Civil Court. In one of them, permission was sought to worship Ramlala and in the other, permission was sought to keep the idol of Lord Ram in the disputed structure. In 1959, Nirmohi Akhara filed a third application.In year 1961 UP Sunni Waqf Board filed an application demanding possession of the disputed site and removal of statues. In 1984, Vishwa Hindu Parishad formed a committee to build a Ram Mandir in place of the disputed structure.In 1986 On the petition of UC Pandey, Faizabad District Judge KM Pandey ordered the removal of the lock on the structure on 1 February 1986, allowing Hindus to worship.6 December 1992 Lakhs of workers of VHP and Shiv Sena and other Hindu organizations demolished the disputed structure. Communal riots broke out across the country, in which more than 2 thousand people were killed.In year 2002 a train carrying Hindu activists was set on fire in Godhra returning from Ram Mandir Ayodhya program , in which 58 people died. Because of this, more than 2 thousand people were killed in the riots in Gujarat.In 2010 Allahabad High Court, in its decision, ordered to divide the disputed site into 3 equal parts between Sunni Waqf Board, Ram Lalla Virajman sthal and Nirmohi Akhara.In 2011 Supreme Court stayed the decision of Allahabad High Court on Ayodhya dispute.In year 2017 Supreme Court called for out of court settlement. Criminal conspiracy charges reinstated against top BJP leaders.In March 8, 2019 Supreme Court refers the case to arbitration. The panel was asked to conclude the proceedings within 8 weeks.August 1, 2019 Mediation panel submits report.August 2, 2019 Supreme Court says mediation panel failed to resolve case.6 August 2019 Daily hearing of Ayodhya Ram Mandir case started in Supreme Court.In 16 October 2019 Hearing of Ram Mandir Ayodhya case completed. The Supreme Court reserved the decision.In 9 November 2019 a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Ram Mandir. The Hindu side got 2.77 acres of disputed land for Ram Mandir. Order to provide separate 5 acres of land for the mosque.In 25 March 2020 after almost 28 years, Ram Lalla shifted from the tent to the nickel fiber Ram Mandir.5 August 2020 Bhoomi pujan program of Ram Mandir held. Invitation given to 175 people including PM Narendra Modi, notable BJP and other political leaders, RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, UP CM Yogi Adityanath and sages and saints.
Ram Mandir Architecture
The original design for the Ram Mandir was prepared by the Sompura family of Ahmedabad in 1988. Sompura has been a part of the temple designs of over 100 temples around the world for at least 15 generations. The design for the Ram Mandir was prepared by Sompur residents in 2020. The temple is 235 feet wide, 360 feet long and 161 feet tall. The Sompura family built the Ram Mandir Ayodhya following the ‘Nagra’ style of architecture, one of the types of Indian temple architecture.The Ram Mandir complex will have a prayer hall, “a Ramkatha Kunj (lecture hall), a Vedic Pathshala (educational facility), a Sant Niwas (saint residence) and a Yati Niwas (hostel for visitors)” and museums and other facilities such as a Cafeteria.Once completed the Ayodhya Ram Mandir complex will be the third largest Hindu temple in the world. A model of the proposed Ram Mandir was displayed during the Prayag Kumbh Mela in 2019.
Ayodhya Ram Mandir Construction
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, began the first phase of Ram Mandir Construction in March 2020. A Shivalinga, pillars and broken idols were found during leveling and excavation of the construction site. Following the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India the work delayed for a while. On 25 March 2020, the idol of Lord Ram was moved to a temporary location in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.In preparation for its construction, Vishwa Hindu Parishad organized a Vijay Mahamantra chanting ritual, in which people would gather at different locations to chant the Vijay Mahamantra, Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram on 6 April 2020. This was said to ensure “victory over obstacles” in the construction of the Ram Mandir.Larsen & Toubro offered to oversee the design and construction of the Ram Mandir and is the contractor for the project. The Central Building Research Institute, the National Geophysical Research Institute and the Indian Institutes of Technology (e.g. Bombay, Guwahati and Madras) carried out soil testing, Providing assistance in areas such as concrete and design. Reports emerged that the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) had identified a stream of Saryu that flows below the Ram Mandir Ayodhya.The work of the Ram Mandir has been completed with lakhs of tone sandstone granite brought from Rajasthan and lakhs of bricks brought with devotion from all over the country. Modern machines and technology have been used along with thousands of laborers in the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir. Now there is only one discussion across the country that Ram Lala will now give darshan in his own house. It will become a symbol of faith for crores of Hindus. Ram Mandir opening date in Ayodhya is on 22 January 2024. Before that, preparations are in full swing in the Ram Mandir.The temple is being constructed on the northern part of 70 acres of land.A modern Ram Mandir Station named “Ayodhyadham” is completed recently made by Indian railways.
Conclusion
The construction of Ram Mandir Ayodhya will become a cultural and religious important event for crores of Hindus of India and across the globe. Ram Temple completion will be the end of wait for crores of devotees who have been waiting for this time for hundreds of years. There was many obstacles in this journey including legal battles, social discussions, and a complex historical narratives.The Ayodhya Ram Mandir stands as a symbol of religious harmony of the Indian spirit.This architectural marvel contributes to the broader narrative of India’s rich cultural tapestry. The completion of the Shree Ram Temple is not just the realization of a long awaited dream but also a step towards unity and tolerance.
FAQs
Q1- What is special about Ram Mandir?
ANS- Ram Mandir Ayodhya will become a cultural and religious important event for crores of Hindus of India.
Q2- What is unique about Ayodhya?
ANS- It is the birth place of lord Shree Ram.
Q3- What is the Ram Mandir issue?
ANS- Not any issue now.
Q4- What is Ayodhya old name?
ANS- Historically Ayodhya was known as Saketa.