LUCKNOW: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the construction of the third biggest temple in the world. The construction of the temple began by laying the silver brick weighing 40 kilograms. The prime minister attended the bhumi pujan just before laying the foundation stone.

Only 175 people were invited for the function. Mud from 2000 holy places and water from 1500 places were brought for the puja. Senior leaders of the BJP L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi was part of the function via video conference. L K Advani said the Ram temple was sure to become a symbol of a strong and prosperous India.

The date August 5 will down in history as a momentous occasion when Prime Minister Narednra Modi reached the Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya to set the construction of the grand Ram temple in motion, a reality that was the political and socio-religious dream of not just the BJP, but a vast section of Indians.

Dressed in traditional attire (dhoti and kurta), the Prime Minister first washed his hands before bowing before the deity -- Ram Lalla Virajman. Amid 'Shankhnaad', Modi offered his prayers to the deity before making a parikrama of the shrine.

Next, he planted a 'Parijat' sapling in the temple complex at 12.03 pm and watered the plant. He then proceeded for the 'bhumi pujan' ceremony after offering prayers at the 10th century Hanuman Garhi temple, accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

At the 'bhumi puja' site, Modi sat with Adityanath, UP Governor Anandiben Patel and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, maintaining adequate social distancing, amid chants of Sanskrit shlokas.

The Prime Minister reached Ayodhya in a chopper little after 11.30 am.