Ayodhya: The Ayodhya Ram Temple, having concluded the highly acclaimed consecration ceremony led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and graced by numerous politicians and celebrities, will welcome the public this morning. A substantial assembly of devotees was observed outside the temple in anticipation of its opening, with worshippers converging as early as 3 am. The temple gates will be accessible to the public during specified hours, from 7 am to 11:30 am and later from 2 pm to 7 pm.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Devotees gathered at Shri Ram temple on the first day after the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya. pic.twitter.com/ne925o7m7t

— ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2024

Yesterday, the ‘pran pratishtha‘ rituals took place, marked by Prime Minister Modi humbly bowing before the Ram Lalla idol. Distinguished figures, such as Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, graced the ceremony with their presence.

Prime Minister Modi, sharing his sentiments on Twitter, expressed, “The remarkable moment of consecrating Shri Ram Lalla‘s life in Ayodhya Dham is bound to evoke deep emotions. It is an honor to be part of this divine program. Jai Siya Ram!“

After the ritual, Prime Minister Modi addressed a congregation of approximately 8,000 attendees, including seers, individuals affiliated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, and personalities from diverse fields. The Prime Minister additionally visited the Kuber Tila and engaged with workers contributing to the construction of the temple.

While the ceremony was broadcast nationwide, senior BJP leaders like JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah opted for live streaming to witness the event. In contrast, Opposition leaders chose to abstain from attending. The lead-up to the consecration ceremony witnessed political tensions between the ruling BJP and the Opposition, with the latter labeling it as an “RSS-BJP event.”

Several BJP-governed states designated the day as a holiday, enabling people to watch the ceremony on TV and partake in local temple festivities. The atmosphere in Ayodhya was further enriched by a devotional “Mangal Dhwani,” featuring 50 traditional musical instruments from various regions of the country.

The construction of the Ram Temple follows a protracted legal battle that culminated in the Supreme Court’s favorable ruling for the temple in November 2019. Prime Minister Modi, addressing the nation, declared the consecration of Ram Lalla‘s idol as the dawn of a new era.

“As you witness the divine consciousness in the temple’s sanctum sanctorum, there’s so much to say, but there’s a lump in my throat. After unprecedented patience, innumerable sacrifices, and penance, our Lord Ram has arrived. I congratulate the country on this occasion,” expressed the Prime Minister.

PM Modi emphasized unity, highlighting that the temple is not just a symbol of triumph but also of humility, showcasing India‘s maturity in resolving historical disputes. He urged critics to reconsider their views, stating that Ram symbolizes energy, not fire, and is a solution, not a dispute.

“The construction of this temple of Ram Lalla is also a symbol of Indian society’s peace, patience, and mutual harmony. We can see that this has not given birth to a fire, but an energy,” Prime Minister Modi remarked.

In a powerful and emotional speech following the consecration ceremony, Prime Minister Modi expressed that the temple symbolizes peace, patience, harmony, and amity in Indian society. He invoked the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ emphasizing that Ram defines the world as a family.