Historic Consecration
The Ram Temple in Ayodhya witnessed the historic Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22, 2024, marking the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol in the newly constructed temple on the site of the former Babri Masjid.
The Ceremony
Pran Pratishtha details:
Event Overview
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | January 22, 2024 |
| Chief Guest | PM Narendra Modi |
| Ritual | 11-day ceremony |
| Culmination | Idol consecration |
Temple Construction
Building the temple:
Architecture
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Style | Nagara architecture |
| Material | Pink sandstone |
| Height | 161 feet |
| Area | 2.7 acres complex |
Historical Background
Decades of dispute:
Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1992 | Babri Masjid demolition |
| 2019 | Supreme Court verdict |
| 2020 | Bhoomi Pujan |
| 2024 | Pran Pratishtha |
Supreme Court Verdict
2019 judgment:
Decision
| Ruling | Provision |
|---|---|
| Land | To Ram Janmabhoomi Trust |
| Mosque | 5 acres alternate land |
| Temple | Construction permitted |
| Allocation | Disputed site to Hindus |
Political Significance
BJP's core issue:
Political Impact
| Factor | Significance |
|---|---|
| BJP promise | Fulfilled |
| Hindu votes | Consolidated |
| Modi image | Civilizational leader |
| Election timing | Before 2024 LS polls |
Attendees
Who was present:
Dignitaries
| Category | Presence |
|---|---|
| PM Modi | Chief guest |
| RSS leaders | Present |
| Saints | Thousands |
| Celebrities | Many Bollywood figures |
Opposition Response
Political parties' reactions:
Varied Stances
| Party | Position |
|---|---|
| Congress | Leadership absent |
| Others | Mixed responses |
| AIMIM | Criticism |
| Liberals | Concerns raised |
Ayodhya Transformation
City development:
Infrastructure
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Airport | Operational |
| Roads | Widened |
| Hotels | Construction boom |
| Tourism | Expected surge |
Religious Tourism
Pilgrimage destination:
Expected Impact
| Metric | Projection |
|---|---|
| Daily visitors | Lakhs |
| Annual footfall | 5+ crore |
| Economic boost | Significant |
| Employment | Job creation |
Communal Implications
Social impact:
Considerations
| Aspect | Status |
|---|---|
| Harmony | Government emphasizes |
| History | Contested narratives |
| Reconciliation | Incomplete |
| Future | Uncertain dynamics |
Looking Ahead
Temple's future:
Developments
- Full temple completion (2025)
- Tourism infrastructure
- Religious circuit development
- Cultural programming
- Political symbolism
The Ram Temple consecration marks a watershed moment in India's religious and political landscape, fulfilling a long-standing Hindu nationalist goal.
