Prime Minister hoists flag at Ram Temple, prominent leaders attend ceremony

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the saffron flag at the newly completed Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The ceremony began around 11:15 a.m. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and several others were present.

The flag was hoisted on the temple’s main tower, which is 191 feet tall. The temple will be opened to the public starting tomorrow. The triangular flag, 10 feet in height and 20 feet long, features the ‘Om’ symbol, a radiant sun, and an image of the Kovidar (Butterfly Tree). It was made in Ahmedabad and is designed to withstand wind, rain, and heat.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the flag represents Lord Rama’s radiance and valour, as well as the ideals of Ram Rajya. Modi reached the Ram Temple complex at around 10 a.m. He first visited the seven newly constructed sub-temples (Sapta Mandir) dedicated to deities such as sages Vashishta, Vishwamitra, Agastya, Valmiki, Devi Ahalya, Nishad Raj Guha, and Mata Shabari. He then prayed at the Sheshavatar Mandir.

Around 11 a.m., the Prime Minister reached the Mata Annapurna Temple, after which he went to the Ram Darbar sanctum and took part in the rituals. He later visited the inner sanctum of the main shrine, where he offered prayers. The flag-hoisting marked the completion of temple construction. Tight security arrangements were in place for the event.

Flag-hoisting on auspicious day

The flag-hoisting took place on Shukla Paksha Panchami, a day considered auspicious. Today is also Vivah Panchami, believed to be the wedding day of Lord Rama and Sita. Additionally, it marks the martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the 9th Sikh Guru, who meditated in Ayodhya for 48 days in the 17th century.