Sri Ram Mandir: Ayodhya in India

Writing:Jyoti Peeth

Ram Mandir: Ayodhya in India

Introduction

 This paper gives an overview of the history, significance, and current affairs regarding the Sri Ram Mandir. We will review its spiritual and cultural importance, the political developments leading to the construction of the temple, and its status in present-day India.

Brief Historical Background of the Ram Janmabhoomi

 In the view of Hindus, the most sacred spot is in Ayodhya in India, the birthplace of Lord Ram. According to Hindu mythology and the Hindu epic Ramayana, Lord Ram was born in Ayodhya; hence it became a focal point of worship for Hindus. Being a focal point for many centuries for religious activities, Ram Janmabhoomi is believed to be the precise spot of the Janmasthan of Lord Ram.

Ancient and Medieval

 Ancient and Medieval Periods For centuries, the site had temples dedicated to Lord Ram. The Babri Masjid at this place was built in the early 16th century by Babur, the first Mughal Emperor, an act that has caused centuries of conflict and controversy as the mosque marked the furtherance of the long-standing dispute and animosity between Hindus and Muslims over the incidence of a supposed holy site.

 Hindu sources claim that the Babri Masjid was built after demolishing an early Hindu temple that once stood at that very site, while Muslim sources claim that the mosque arose from bare land and carried no other associated religious temperament. This argument makes way for many centuries of hostility between Hindus and Muslims, forcing them to dispute over the ownership of that site.

Babri Masjid Demolition. IMAGE SOURCE: INTERNET. Ram Mandir: Ayodhya in India

The Ram Janmabhoomi Movement and the Babri Masjid Demolition

 It garnered some momentum in 1980s with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by L.K. Advani, advocating for the construction of the Ram Mandir at the disputed site. It was not merely of religious belief, as it bore major political currents; it became a rallying point for the ideology of Hindutva and somewhat became a symbol to resurrect Hindu identity within a multicultural and pluralistic India.

 In 1990, L.K. Advani led the Rath Yatra (chariot procession) of the BJP seeking to mobilize support for the temple construction. The movement drew further political and social unrest-in a massive mobilization of Hindus countered by resistance from Muslim groups largely concerning the status of the Babri Masjid.

 On December 6, 1992, the Babri Masjid was demolished by a crowd of Hindu activists leading to widespread communal riots over the whole of India. The demolition was a bonafide watershed event in Ram Janmabhoomi history as it not only triggered huge national and international outcries but also altered the political landscape of the Indian subcontinent. The demolition set in motion a chain of litigation and communal tension that would bog India down for years to come, with the issue becoming highly entrenched in India's political narrative. 

 Legal Battles and Court Ruling 

 Several decades of legal fragmentation generally accrue over the Ram Janmabhoomi site. Following the demolition of Babri Masjid, a series of allegations concerning diversified ownership forms ensued. Parties in seeking the construction of a Ram Mandir included various Hindu organizations such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas while those restoring Babri Masjid/Sita mgarh took an oppositional stance; they were aided mainly by the Muslim League in unison with the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB).

 In 2010, the Allahabad High Court ruled that the land was to be divided into three equal parts, granting one-third to Hindus, one-third to Muslims, and one-third to the Nirmohi Akhara (a Hindu religious sect). This order met much criticism, especially as it failed to substantively address the crux of ownership. Both Hindu and Muslim groups appealed against the decision, and the issue before them eventually reached the Supreme Court of India.

 On the 9th of November 2019, in a historic ruling, the Supreme Court of India in its judgment ruled the disputed land to be given to Hindus for a Ram Mandir to be constructed. It has also ordered an alternative land to be allocated to Muslims to erect a mosque. The ruling put a stop to a long-drawn legal battle and paved the way for the Sri Ram Mandir's construction.

Specifications of Main Temple

Image Source: Internet. Specifications of Main Temple. Ram Mandir: Ayodhya in India

• Area: 2.7 Acres 
• Total Built-up Area: 57,400 Sft 
• Length of Temple: 360 Ft 
• Width of Temple: 235 Ft 
• Total Height including peak Mt.: 161 Ft 
• Number of Floors: 03 
• Height per Floor: 20 Ft 
• Ground Floor columns: 160 
• First Floor columns: 132 
• Second Floor columns: 74 
• Pavilions and Pedestals: 5 
• Total Gates: 12 

Laying of the Foundation Stone

 On August 5, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Ram Mandir with great fanfare under the customary rituals and chants by Hindu clergies, this event being attended by some of the high-ranking religious and political leaders like RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat. It set the stage of construction for the temple following decades-long battle within the legal-political arena.

 Setting the foundation stone was seen as the greatest milestone in the long-cherished aspirations of millions of Hindus who had agitated for the temple's elevation for decades. The broadcast, run live across the country, represented national pride fused with fervent religious homage. --

The Architecture of Sri Ram Mandir

 

Ram Mandir: Ayodhya in India

 The creation of the Sri Ram Mandir is along the lines of ancient Hindu temple architecture, chiefly derived from the typical North-Indian Nagara style of temple architecture. Expert consultations with eminent religious scholars, architects, and engineers have orchestrated the temple's architectural design, and it is poised to become a prominent pilgrimage locus for Hindus all over the world.

 The idol of Lord Ram, along with deities representing his life and story, will be enshrined in the garbhagriha. The entire temple will be decorated with intricate carvings depicting events from the Ramayana, such as the childhood of Lord Ram, his exile in the forest, and his victory over Ravana. The majestic shikhara atop the temple denotes an emblem radiating the personal presence of Lord Ram. It is to be erected with fine-quality, durable marble, known as Makrana marble. The construction will take place in phases in line with the project, constructed as a complex accommodating thousands of devotees.

Ram Mandir: Ayodhya in India

The Impact of Sri Ram Mandir on Indian Society

 The construction of the Sri Ram Mandir is expected to have profound cultural, religious, and socio-political impacts on Indian society. The Ram Mandir has become a symbol of Hindu unity, identity, and resurgence. For millions of Hindus, the temple will serve as a focal point of devotion and pilgrimage. It will boost India's religious tourism by pulling millions of tourists every year.

 Politically, the construction of the temple presents a great opportunity for the BJP, which supported the struggle for building the Ram Mandir over a period of time. Many see this as the fulfillment of a promise the BJP made to the Hindu community. The issue remains fraught with particular and sensibilities as a subsection of Indian society continues to voice concerns regarding the role of religion in politics and the possibility of fuelling further communal tensions.

The Role of Religion and Politics in the Construction 

 The Ram Mandir issue illustrates the intricate interplay between religion and politics in India. The Ram Janmabhoomi movement, with its political undertones, brought large sections of the Hindu population to the political stage and fashionably launched the BJP-appearing to become a dominant political force. Critics claim that certain political parties used this movement as a tool for their own electoral gains, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where support was highly visible for the temple movement.

 No matter how controversial the issue of the construction of the temple is, the Sri Ram Mandir is another landmark in the history of India's religious landscape. It leads to fundamental questions regarding how religion shapes national identity, social cohesion, and political debates.

Conclusion

 The story of the Ram Janmabhoomi, from its inception until the present phase of construction, is long and laced with religious intolerance, political vindictiveness, and myriad legal entanglements. From the time remediate the completion of the temple into a mammoth achievement for millions of believers of the Hindu faith, it will act as a constant reminder on how diversities in religion and colony-building confound Indian society.

 The Sri Ram Mandir is hence a house of faith and culture, resilience being its crux. Coming up in Ayodhya, it will draw inspiration for years on in terms of devotion, debate, and discussion.

FAQS :

1. Where is the Sri Ram Mandir located? Answer : The Sri Ram Mandir is located in Ayodhya, a city in India and Uttar Pradesh, which is believed by many to be the birthplace of Lord Ram.
2. What is the historical significance of the Ram Janmabhoomi site? Answer : The site of Ram Janmabhoomi is revered as the birthplace of Hinduism's esteemed deity Lord Ram. Due to the construction of the Babri Masjid in the 16th century, it has been the center around which controversies to the whole landscape behind-the-scenes have centered.
3. What led to the construction of the Sri Ram Mandir? Answer: There arose a prolonged legal and political battle following the Babri Masjid disaster. In 2019, the Supreme Court of India ordered to build a temple on the disputed land.
4. When was the foundation stone of the temple laid? Answer : The temple's foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5, 2020, in a ceremony that held religious sanctity.
5. What is the design of the Sri Ram Mandir? Answer: The temple is constructed to the Nagara style of architecture, and the exterior is richly carved. The shikhara abutting the temple is flanked by Lord Ram's statue. Makrana marble will be used to build the temple.
6. Why is the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute of major importance? Answer: The dispute has long held religious and political tensions in India, and embodies the friction between Hindu and Muslim communities. It played a central role in establishing Hindutva politics in India.
7. What was the Supreme Court ruling on the dispute? Answer: On November 9, 2019, the Supreme Court of India granted the disputed land to Hindus for constructing the Ram Mandir and directed that an alternative land be provided for a mosque.

References

1. "The Ram Janmabhoomi Movement." India Today.
2. "Legal Battle Over Ram Janmabhoomi." The Times of India.
3. "Supreme Court Verdict on Ram Janmabhoomi." Indian Express.
4. "The Rise of the BJP and the Ram Mandir." The Hindu.
5. "Architectural Details of Sri Ram Mandir." Architectural Digest India.

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