Millions of viewers across India witnessed the unveiling of a vast Hindu temple on Monday, marking a pivotal moment in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist agenda just months before seeking a rare third term in elections.
The inauguration of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, dedicated to Lord Ram in Ayodhya, northern India, is a culmination of over three decades of efforts and is anticipated to significantly bolster Modi’s election campaign.
The Ram Mandir symbolizes Modi’s vision of shaping a “new India,” perceived by many as a transformation towards a distinctly Hindu nation, diverging from the secular foundations laid at the country’s independence.
Detractors view the temple’s inauguration as the conclusion of a prolonged campaign by Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to steer India away from its secular origins.
The ceremony on Monday fulfills a longstanding promise made by Modi and the BJP government that propelled them to power in 2014. The commitment to build a temple at the site of a 16th-century mosque, destroyed in a violent 1992 attack by Hindu hardliners, played a pivotal role in the BJP’s ascent to mainstream politics.
Modi, in his speech, avoided direct mention of the Babri Masjid or the country’s Muslim population, who may harbor pain and sadness about the events in Ayodhya. Instead, he spoke of moving forward and “the beginning of a new time cycle.”
Inside the temple, Modi oversaw the consecration ceremony, Pran Pratishtha, of an idol of Lord Ram, while outside, military helicopters released flower petals over the vast building and crowds of dignitaries.
Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the right-wing parent organization of the BJP, declared the temple as a symbol of a “new India that will stand tall.”
Yogi Adityanath, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, called the Ram Mandir India’s “national temple” and a significant ritual of cultural reawakening.
Throughout the day, saffron flags and marigold flowers adorned Ayodhya’s streets as thousands of devotees participated in celebratory processions.
Devotee Acharya Mohanjodaro Bharadwaj expressed, “For 500 years Lord Ram was living in a hut. Today Modi made him sit inside a temple, the whole country is celebrating it like it’s Diwali.”
Celebrations spanned the nation, with politicians urging people to partake in festivities, leading Uttar Pradesh to declare Monday a public holiday.
The Indian diaspora joined in celebrations globally, with gatherings in New York and Indian embassies hosting watch parties worldwide.
