Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered prayers at the Ayodhya’s Ram Temple. After offering the prayers, PM Modi’s roadshow on the ‘Ram Path’ will start from Sugriva Fort and continue till Lata Chowk. The route of the roadshow has been divided into 40 blocks. Prior to PM Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered prayers at Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Tag: ram lalla
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Meet Vikramaditya Singh, The Himachal Congress Leader Who Defied Party To Attend Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha In Ayodhya |
AYODHYA: In a surprising move, Vikramaditya Singh, a prominent Congress leader and minister in the Himachal Pradesh government, went against his party’s official stance on the Ram Temple inauguration. Despite top Congress leaders boycotting the event, Singh visited the holy city of Ayodhya to partake in the auspicious ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol on Monday.
A Lone Stand: Himachal Pradesh Declares Half-Day Amid Congress Resistance
Interestingly, Himachal Pradesh, the sole Congress-ruled state, took a distinctive step by declaring a half-day for all state government workers, showcasing a unique departure from the party’s overall stance.
Vikramaditya Singh: The Rebel Congress Leader Who Became A ‘State Guest’ In UP
Vikramaditya Singh, the son of current Himachal Congress chief Pratibha Singh, made headlines as he reached Lucknow from Chandigarh on Sunday. Despite being a Congress leader, he was treated as a ‘state guest’ by the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government.
‘Once-In-A-Lifetime’ Opportunity: Singh On Ayodhya Visit
Earlier on January 8, Singh expressed that attending the Ayodhya ceremony was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” This came amidst the Congress top brass deciding to stay away from the event, denouncing it as a ‘BJP/RSS event.’
Congress Leaders Shun Ayodhya Invite
On January 10, senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury declined the invitation, citing the BJP’s attempt to score political points with the ceremony. The Congress labelled the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony as an “RSS and BJP event,” emphasizing their commitment to the 2019 Supreme Court judgment while respecting the sentiments of Lord Ram’s devotees.
Vikramaditya Singh: Political Scion’s Background And Journey
Vikramaditya Singh, born in 1989, represents the Shimla Rural constituency as an MLA. Hailing from a political family, he is the son of the late ex-CM Virbhadra Singh, and his mother, Pratibha Singh, currently serves as the MP from Mandi and is the state Congress chief.
A post-graduate in History from St Stephen’s College, Delhi, Singh served as the chief of the state youth Congress from 2013 to 2017. With two consecutive victories in the elections of 2017 and 2023, he continues to make a mark in Himachal Pradesh politics.
PM Modi Leads Pran Pratishtha Rituals
The holy city of Ayodhya witnessed a moment of divine significance as the idol of Ram Lalla was unveiled at the Shri Ram Janmaboomi Temple, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the sacred Pran Pratishtha ceremony on Monday. In the sanctum sanctorum of the grand temple, PM Modi conducted the rituals, creating an atmosphere infused with deep devotion. PM Modi performed the ‘aarti’ of the Ram Lalla idol at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. He also performed ‘parikrama’ of the deity and did ‘dandvat pranam’. He also took blessings from ‘sadhus’.
The childhood form of Lord Ram (the idol of Shri Ramlalla) has been placed in the main sanctum sanctorum on the ground floor of the temple. The ceremony was marked by Indian Air Force (IAF) choppers showering flower petals over the temple premises during the unveiling of the idol.
Presence Of Distinguished Dignitaries
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath graced the ceremony, chanting ‘Jai Sri Ram’ along with devotees. Over 8,000 guests attended the ceremony, representing various spiritual and religious sects, including tribal communities. Prime Minister Modi addressed the distinguished gathering and interacted with shramjeevis associated with the temple’s construction.
Architectural Marvel Of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir
The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir, constructed in traditional Nagara style, stands magnificently with a length of 380 feet, width of 250 feet, and height of 161 feet. It boasts 392 pillars, 44 doors, and intricately sculpted depictions of Hindu deities.
The main entrance on the eastern side, accessed by ascending 32 stairs through Singh Dwar, leads to five Mandaps (Halls). Notable features include Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prathana Mandap, and Kirtan Mandap. The historic Well (Sita koop) and the restored ancient Mandir of Bhagwan Shiv at Kuber Tila add to the cultural richness.
Innovative Construction Methods
The Mandir’s foundation, crafted with a 14-meter-thick layer of roller-compacted concrete (RCC), gives it the appearance of artificial rock. The absence of iron and the use of traditional indigenous technology showcase the uniqueness of the construction. A 21-foot-high plinth of granite safeguards against ground moisture.
Modern Amenities In Traditional Ambiance
The Mandir complex boasts a sewage treatment plant, water treatment plant, water supply for fire safety, and an independent power station, seamlessly blending modern amenities with traditional architecture.
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Congress’ Acharya Pramod credits PM Modi for Ayodhya Ram Mandir,says ‘Agar PM Modi Na Hote…’ – The Economic Times Video
Congress leader Acharya Pramod, who recently demanded his party to reconsider declining invite for Ayodhya Ram Mandir inauguration, has now credited PM Modi for the temple’s construction. Ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, Acharya Pramod said, “This is correct that Ram Mandir has been constructed by Supreme Court’s order, but if the country would have had different Prime Minister other than Narendra Modi, this verdict would not have been possible. I gave the credit of Ram Mandir’s construction and Pran Pratishtha ceremony to Prime Minister Modi.”
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PM Modi to consecrate Ram Lalla in Ayodhya after 550 years, says home minister Amit Shah
Guwahati: Union Home minister Amit Shah said that on January 22 Prime minister Narendra Modi in Ayodhya will do the Pran Pratishtha (consecration) of Ram Lalla, who was disrespectfully out of his home for almost 550 years.
Shah while attending the passing out parade of Assam Police commandos in Guwahati said, “I want to congratulate you all, on January 22 our Prime minister will do the Pran Pratishtha (consecration) of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. After staying away from his home disrespectfully for almost 550 years, Narendra Modi j.e will do the consecration and will establish the Lord in the large temple. It is a matter of pride for the whole country.”
He said, “Under Modi’s leadership India is emerging as a power in the whole world. Modi has decided that by 2047 India will be a developed and self-reliant country and the beginning has started with the Lord Ram adorning his temple. This is a matter of joy and good wishes for the whole country.”Shah on Saturday in Sonitpur said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mission of bringing peace and development in the northeast has been successful.
The Congress had a policy to “divert attention from problems and enjoy power, which led to the deaths of thousands of people in the region”, particularly in Bodoland, Shah said at the 13th Triennial Conference of the All Bathou Mahasabha.
“When I became home minister, the Bodo movement was underway and I made a sincere attempt to understand the problems and demands of one of the largest communities of the northeast,” he said.The prime minister also viewed it from a new perspective and the problem was resolved with Bodoland “today being free from bomb blasts, firing and violence”, Shah said.During the last three years, there has been no incident of violence in Bodoland, and it is scripting a new story by walking on the path of development, Shah asserted.
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Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha: How To Do Ram Puja At Home – Check Step By Step Method | Culture News
India and Hindus across the world are eagerly awaiting the Pran Praitshtha ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. On January 18, the 51-inch black stone idol was placed in the sanctum sanctorum covered with a cloth. The eyes of the idol – carved by Mysuru sculptor Arun Yogiraj – will be uncovered on January 22 at 12.30 pm, the muhurtam of the consecration. If you are unable to attend the ceremony, astrological expert Pandit Jagannath Guruji shares some simple steps following which you can perform Ram Puja at your home during Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha.
How To Do Puja At Home During Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha
“‘Om Ram Ramaya Namah’ meaning ‘Victory to Lord Rama’ and this must be recited in people’s homes during Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha ceremony, which is scheduled to take place between 12:20 pm and 12:45 pm on January 22, 2024. ,” says Pandit Jagannath Guruji. If you are unable to attend, then you can still be a part of it by doing the Puja at home. The astrologer shares how you can properly do the puja at home:
– Begin by cleansing your home temple. – Take a purifying bath. – Mark your forehead with fragrant chandan tilak, a symbol of divine connection. – Wear new, light-coloured garments, a reflection of the inner clarity you seek for this sacred occasion. – Perform an abhishek, a ceremonial bath for the idol of Lord Ram, using milk, honey, and other sacred offerings. This purifies not just the idol, but the atmosphere itself. Below the temple, prepare a small puja table. Adorn it with vibrant rangoli designs, invoking blessings and prosperity. – Draw a swastika, a symbol of good fortune, and the sacred “Om” symbol, a gateway to the divine by preparing your sacred space for the puja. – Begin by draping a clean red cloth over the table, creating a vibrant altar for your offerings. – In the centre, gently mound a handful of uncooked rice, symbolizing abundance and prosperity. Upon this bed of rice, nestle a gleaming copper kalash, brimming with pure water – the elixir of life. – Adorn the Kalash with a vibrant splash of kumkum and haldi, invoking divine blessings. Then, crown your creation with a whole coconut, and arrange a selection of fresh fruits – symbolizing prosperity. – Place them around the base of the Kalash, as if nature’s gifts have been showered upon the divine. – Now, the heart of the puja beats in the form of Lord Ram’s idol. Gently place it facing you. Beside him, place an idol of the infant Ram, symbolizing innocence and divine potential. Scatter petals of marigolds and jasmine, offering purity and divine love. – Chant the Ram mantra, ‘Om Ram Ramaya Namah’, 108 times as the mantra becomes a mantra within you, seeking its divine counterpart. -As you chant, visualize Lord Ram in his radiant form, showering his blessings knowing that in this moment, you are connected to something far greater than yourself. May your puja be filled with love, devotion, and divine grace.
Also Read: ‘Ram Lalla As A Five-Year-Old Child With A Golden Bow And Arrow’: First Look Of Divine Idol Unveiled In Ayodhya
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Mamata Faces BJP Pressure To Announce Holiday In West Bengal For Ram Temple Event, TMC Calls It political stunt |
New Delhi: West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar on Friday appealed to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to announce a holiday on January 22 so that the people of the state can join the festivities of the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya. The central government offices, public sector banks, insurance companies, financial institutions and regional rural banks (RRBs) in the country will be closed for half a day on January 22. Some states, such as Assam and Odisha, which are neighbouring West Bengal, have also declared a half-day holiday for the occasion.
Majumdar shared a letter he sent to the chief minister on X, saying “I have requested our Hon’ble CM @MamataOfficial (Mamata Banerjee) to kindly consider declaring 22nd January 2024 to be a school holiday, so that the youth of West Bengal gets to rejoice in the Ram Mandir consecration celebrations.”
I have requested our Hon’ble CM @MamataOfficial to kindly consider declaring 22nd January, 2024 to be a school holiday, so that the youth of West Bengal gets to rejoice in the Ram Mandir consecration celebrations…#RamMandirPranPratishta #RamMandir pic.twitter.com/h4U4TagCKZ
— Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) January 19, 2024He mentioned that the chief minister has given holidays for many special events in the past. He added, “We think that the people of the state should also get the opportunity to participate in the Ram Temple inauguration. We request you to officially declare the day as a holiday.” The TMC leadership, however, expressed doubt over the significance of the date for the Ram temple inauguration.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh asked, “Is there any specific date in the almanac or any other Hindu religious calendar where the auspicious date for Ram Temple inauguration is mentioned? Has Sukanta Majumdar become a priest? The event (Ram Temple inauguration) where many BJP leaders will be present is a political event before the Lok Sabha elections. We don’t mix religion with politics like the BJP.”
Banerjee, who is also the head of the ruling TMC, will lead a ‘rally for harmony’ on January 22 from Hazra Crossing in south Kolkata to Park Circus, where she will also address a public meeting. She will begin the all-faith march after offering ‘puja’ at the ancient Kalighat temple, and visit places of worship of different religions along the way.
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PM Modi offers prayers to Ram Lalla in Ayodhya
By PTI
AYODHYA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered prayers to Ram Lalla at Ram Janmbhoomi here. This is his first visit to Ayodhya after a “bhoomi pujan” for the construction of a Ram temple on August 5, 2020.
Immediately after reaching Ayodhya for the Deepotsav celebrations, the PM went to the makeshift Ram temple and offered prayers to Ram Lalla.
Ram Lalla Temple is decorated with flowers. (Photo | ANI)He lit an earthen lamp there and performed an “aarti”.
Temple chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das applied vermillion on his forehead.
Modi was also briefed by officials on the construction going on for a grand Ram temple at the site.
Earlier, the PM was welcomed by Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
He will be attending the Deepotsav celebrations.
Modi will witness a 3-D holographic projection mapping show at Ram ki Paidi on the banks of the Saryu, along with a grand musical laser show, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Around 6.30 pm, the prime minister will witness an “aarti” on the banks of the Saryu, which will be followed by the launch of the Deepotsav celebrations, a statement said.
Ayodhya Divisional Commissioner Navdeep Rinwa had said over 15 lakh earthen lamps will be lit as part of the Deepotsav celebrations by more than 22,000 volunteers at Ram ki Paidi near the Saryu bank.
The rest will be placed at important intersections and spots in the town.
Five animated tableaux and 11 Ramlila tableaux showcasing dance forms from different states will also be presented during the Deepotsav.
AYODHYA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered prayers to Ram Lalla at Ram Janmbhoomi here. This is his first visit to Ayodhya after a “bhoomi pujan” for the construction of a Ram temple on August 5, 2020.
Immediately after reaching Ayodhya for the Deepotsav celebrations, the PM went to the makeshift Ram temple and offered prayers to Ram Lalla.
Ram Lalla Temple is decorated with flowers. (Photo | ANI)He lit an earthen lamp there and performed an “aarti”.
Temple chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das applied vermillion on his forehead.
Modi was also briefed by officials on the construction going on for a grand Ram temple at the site.
Earlier, the PM was welcomed by Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
He will be attending the Deepotsav celebrations.
Modi will witness a 3-D holographic projection mapping show at Ram ki Paidi on the banks of the Saryu, along with a grand musical laser show, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Around 6.30 pm, the prime minister will witness an “aarti” on the banks of the Saryu, which will be followed by the launch of the Deepotsav celebrations, a statement said.
Ayodhya Divisional Commissioner Navdeep Rinwa had said over 15 lakh earthen lamps will be lit as part of the Deepotsav celebrations by more than 22,000 volunteers at Ram ki Paidi near the Saryu bank.
The rest will be placed at important intersections and spots in the town.
Five animated tableaux and 11 Ramlila tableaux showcasing dance forms from different states will also be presented during the Deepotsav.
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Values inculcated by Lord Ram inspiration for ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’: PM Modi in Ayodhya
By PTI
AYODHYA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Sunday said the values inculcated by Lord Ram through his words, thoughts and rule are the inspiration for “sabka saath, sabka vikas”.
These are also a basis for “sabka vishwas, sabka prayas”, said the prime minister who arrived here to attend the Deepotsav celebrations.
Addressing a gathering at the Ram Katha park where a symbolic coronation of Lord Ram and Sita was performed, Modi said he got the opportunity of having the deity’s “darshan” due to his blessings.
“I am happy that people of Ayodhya, entire UP and world are witnessing this event. As we are celebrating ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsava’, the determination like Lord Ram will take the country to new heights,” he said.
The PM said Lord Ram’s ideals are a beacon of light for people aspiring for a developed India in next 25 years and give the “courage to achieve the most difficult goals”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered prayers to Ram Lalla at Ram Janmbhoomi here.
This is his first visit to Ayodhya after a “bhoomi pujan” for the construction of a Ram temple on August 5, 2020.
Immediately after reaching Ayodhya for the Deepotsav celebrations, the PM went to the makeshift Ram temple and offered prayers to Ram Lalla.
He lit an earthen lamp there and performed an “aarti”.
Modi was also briefed by officials on the construction going on for a grand Ram temple at the site.
Earlier, the PM was welcomed by Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
AYODHYA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Sunday said the values inculcated by Lord Ram through his words, thoughts and rule are the inspiration for “sabka saath, sabka vikas”.
These are also a basis for “sabka vishwas, sabka prayas”, said the prime minister who arrived here to attend the Deepotsav celebrations.
Addressing a gathering at the Ram Katha park where a symbolic coronation of Lord Ram and Sita was performed, Modi said he got the opportunity of having the deity’s “darshan” due to his blessings.
“I am happy that people of Ayodhya, entire UP and world are witnessing this event. As we are celebrating ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsava’, the determination like Lord Ram will take the country to new heights,” he said.
The PM said Lord Ram’s ideals are a beacon of light for people aspiring for a developed India in next 25 years and give the “courage to achieve the most difficult goals”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered prayers to Ram Lalla at Ram Janmbhoomi here.
This is his first visit to Ayodhya after a “bhoomi pujan” for the construction of a Ram temple on August 5, 2020.
Immediately after reaching Ayodhya for the Deepotsav celebrations, the PM went to the makeshift Ram temple and offered prayers to Ram Lalla.
He lit an earthen lamp there and performed an “aarti”.
Modi was also briefed by officials on the construction going on for a grand Ram temple at the site.
Earlier, the PM was welcomed by Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
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Aditya Thackeray offers prayers in Ayodhya, resolves to serve people better with blessings of Lord Ram
Express News Service
LUCKNOW: Maharashtra cabinet minister and son of CM Uddhav Thackrey, Aditya Thackeray, who reached temple town of Ayodhya and had darshan of Ram Lalla on Wednesday, resolved to serve people better with his blessings. He along with thousands of Shiv Sainiks was on a day-long visit to Ayodhya and offered prayers at the Ram Temple on Janmbhoomi premises.
On his first visit to the temple town after becoming the minister in Maha Agadi government, Aditya visited Janambhoomi premises, Hanuman Garhi and also participated in Saryu ‘aarti’ at the banks of the holy river in the evening. The Shiv Sena leader also met his party functionaries and interacted with the media.
While interacting with media persons after taking darshan of Ram Lalla, Thackeray expressed his gratitude to the people of Ayodhya for giving him a rousing welcome and promised to visit the temple town again. He said that he was visiting Ayodhya as a Ram devotee as Lord Ram and Goddess Sita were there in his heart.
“We all are the descendants of Lord Ram and we are related to the people of Ayodhya. We come here to seek the blessing of Lord Ram so that we can serve the people. No politics is involved in it as it is a matter of faith for us and for the whole country,” he said.
When asked about the controversy over the Gyanvapi mosque and the ongoing litigation, Aditya Thackeray refused to get dragged into it saying since he was in Ayodhya so he would talk only about Ayodhya.
On being asked about the Enforcement Directorate (ED) grilling Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case, Thackeray claimed that central agencies had turned more into advertising literature of the BJP.
Thackeray also claimed that his father and Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray would soon speak to his UP counterpart Yogi Adityanath to ask for some space where a Maharashtra Sadan could be built in Ayodhya to facilitate the stay of Maharashtra devotees in the temple town.
Earlier, on his arrival in Lucknow on Wednesday morning, Aditya Thackeray steared clear of politics at the airport saying: “We have been coming to Ayodhya and Lord Ram is in our hearts. Even in 2018, when I came for the first time, we had said ‘Pehle Mandir Fir Sarkar’ (first the temple then the government).
That created an atmosphere and the Supreme Court gave its decision in favour of temple in 2019. Now after the order of the court, the construction of Ram Temple has finally started. I am here to pray and seek blessings of Ram Lalla to serve people better.”
On the question of protest by a group of seers in Ayodhya against his visit, Thackeray said, “I won’t get into any allegation or counter allegation. This is a holy place and politics should be kept away from it. This is the land of Ram Rajya and the faith of crores of Indians is linked to Ayodhya. We are ardent followers of Lord Ram and today I am here only for darshan. We pray that we perform only good deeds.”
It may be mentioned that the priest of Hanuman Garhi Mahant Raju Das and some other seers of the temple town had opposed Aditya Thackeray’s visit accusing the Maharashtra government of inaction in case of lynching of two seers in Palghar in 2020.
The seers of Ayodhya also accused Thackerays of “shunning Hindutva and belying the ideals of Shiv Sena founder Bala Saheb Thackeray for the greed of power.”
Over 2,000 Shiv Sainiks, led by senior party leaders Sanjay Raut and Eknath Shinde, had reached the temple town by two trains on Tuesday to welcome Aditya Thackeray.
The Ayodhya district administration had made all preparations beforehand for Thackeray’s visit. Around 1,051 lamps were be lit for Saryu aarti. He performed Abhishek of River Saryu with 1.5 tonnes of milk.
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President Kovind visits Ayodhya temple construction site, offers prayers at Ram Mandir
By PTI
LUCKNOW/AYODHYA: President Ram Nath Kovind Sunday offered prayers to Ram Lalla, visiting the site where a Ram temple is being constructed in Ayodhya, a city which he said was nothing without the deity.
“Without Ram, Ayodhya is not Ayodhya. Ayodhya exists where there is Ram. Lord Ram resides permanently in this city, and hence in the true sense, this place is Ayodhya,” he said while inaugurating a Ramayan Conclave, shortly before visiting the temple construction site and offering his prayers.
The president was accompanied by his family members, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Union Minister of State for Railways and Textiles Darshana Vikram Jardosh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and his deputies Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma.
They also offered their prayers to Ram Lalla amid chanting of slogans by priests at the makeshift temple.
A shawl and a miniature replica of the upcoming Ram temple were also presented to Kovind who interacted with the priests briefly and planted a sapling.
Before he went there, Kovind, who is on his first visit to Ayodhya after the landmark 2019 Supreme Court verdict paved the way for the construction of the temple, also offered prayers at the Hanumangarhi shrine, about 2 km away.
The president was presented with a pink-coloured turban at the Hanumangarhi temple.
Earlier in the day, the president reached Ayodhya by a special train from Lucknow on the last day of his four-day visit to Uttar Pradesh.
Speaking after opening the Ramayana Conclave and laying foundation stones of various projects of the Department of Culture and Tourism, the president said, “We should try to see Ram and Sita in everyone. Ram belongs to all, and Ram is in all.”
Apparently referring to the word ‘Ram’ in his name, Kovind said, “I feel that when my family members named me (Ram Nath Kovind), they were possibly having the feeling of respect and affection towards Ram Katha and Lord Ram, which is seen in the common public.”
Elaborating further on Ayodhya, the president said, “The literal meaning of Ayodhya is the one who is impossible to wage a war against.
Owing to the courage and power of Raghuvanshi kings Raghu, Dileep, Ajj, Dashrath and Ram, their capital was considered unconquerable.
Therefore, the name of this city as ‘Ayodhya’ will always remain relevant.
Highlighting the love of Lord Ram towards tribals, he said, “During his days of exile, Lord Ram did not call the armies of Ayodhya and Mithila to fight the war. He gathered the Khols, Bheels, Vaanars and formed his army. In his campaign, he included ‘Jatayu (vulture)’. He strengthened love and friendship with the tribals.”
Paying respect to the Ramcharitmanas, he said it instills hope, generates inspiration and spreads the light of knowledge.
“Ram Katha is enacted in many countries of the world. The Ramlila of Bali island of Indonesia is famous. Non-resident Indians have kept the Ram Katha and Ramlila alive in many countries including the Maldives, Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago, Nepal, Cambodia and Suriname,” the president said.
He also referred to Ayutthaya, a city in Thailand.
“In public life, Mahatma Gandhi had imbibed the ideals of Lord Ram. Gandhiji in his conceptualisation of an ideal India, had named it as ‘Ramrajya’. The name of Lord Ram was very important for Mahatma Gandhi,” Kovind said.
The president said the projects related to the Ramayan circuit being developed under the ‘Swadesh Darshan Scheme’ of the Centre which were inaugurated today, would provide various amenities to tourists and devotees.
He noted the Tulsi Smarak Bhawan project would help in the ongoing global research on Ramayana and Ram Katha.
He also noted that an extensive encyclopedia is being prepared under the aegis of Ayodhya Shodh Sansthan which would be a collection of material related to Ramayana and Indian culture available across the world.
He lauded the UP government for making efforts to take the Ramayans to the masses through art and culture by organising Ramayan Conclave.