The story, rich with mythological components and cultural importance, has played an essential role in shaping the beliefs and sentiments of millions of Hindus over centuries.

Mythological foundation

Ram Mandir, Ayodhya finds its roots in the Ramayana, an ancient Hindu epic of sage Valmiki. The Ramayana tells the life of lord Rama, the seventh Avtar of lord Vishnu. According to mythology, lord Rama was born in Ayodhya and he is the son of King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya.

This epic starts with the divine birth of Rama and his three brothers, Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna. The early years of Rama’s life were notable for his marriage to Sita, an Avtar of the goddess Lakshmi. Rama’s banishment to the forest, caused by the scheme of his stepmother Kaikeyi, sets a series of events leading to the ancient battle against the demon king Ravana.

The central part of Ramayana is known as “Ramayana Yuddha” or the battle of Lanka, climaxing in Rama’s victory over Ravana and the saving of Sita. After returning to Ayodhya, Rama is crowned as the king, marking the start of the rule known as “Rama Rajya”. The story of Ramayana summarizes the theme of duty, righteousness, and the victory of good over evil.

Ayodhya is the sacred home

Ayodhya is the birthplace of Rama and holds a heartfelt significance in Hindu tradition. The city represents a symbol of dharma and the essence of an ideal kingdom. The belief of the Ayodhya as the sacred home or lord Rama has been passed down through generations, encouraging deep emotional and spiritual connections for Hindus.

In Ramayana, Ayodhya is described as a magnificent city enhanced with grand palaces, lush gardens, and noble citizens. The story shows a vivid picture of the ideal society under Rama’s rule, highlighting principles of justice, virtue, and compassion. The alliance of Ayodhya with lord Rama’s birth changes the city into a holy pilgrimage site for believers searching to connect with the divine.

The Janmabhoomi and Babri mosque

The term “Janmabhoomi” means “Birthplace” in Sanskrit, and Ayodhya holds a crucial place in Ramayana’s story. Tradition tells the exact location in Ayodhya where Rama is believed to be born as the holy Janmabhoomi. Believers consider this place to be auspicious, and it became the central point of a significant historical and religious controversy in later centuries.

The controversy is the construction of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya during the Mughal period. According to history mosque was built in the 16th century by Mir Baqi, a commander of the Mughal Empire. Local Hindu belief that the mosque was built on the spot of the birthplace of lord Rama.

The conflicting claims over the Janmabhoomi gave rise to tension and debates that continued over the centuries. The mosque is a symbol of religious and cultural harmony but also became a source of disagreement, especially in the modern era.

Historical perspective

Travelers and scholars provide a brief look into the unfolding story of Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya. Traveler “William Finch”, he was traveled to Ayodhya in 1611, and recorded damage but made no mention of a mosque. In the 17th century, the look of the mosque at the site was suggested by Lal Das’s awash-villa.

Jesuit missionary Joseph Tiefenthaler, visited Ayodhya in the 18th century and wrote about the destruction of forts related to lord Rama and the construction of the mosque in its place. Future visitors, including Francis Buchanan in 1810, mentioned the existence of a temple devoted to Rama which was replaced by the mosque.

Controversy surrounds the originality of the dedication to the Babri mosque, with claims that they were added much later, raising a question about the mosque’s actual historical connection. The debate over the historical accuracy of these claims adds complications to the Janmabhoomi history.

Modern Ram Janmabhoomi movement

The 20th century witnessed the escalation of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, led by many Hindu organizations. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a Hindu nationalist family sangha Parivar, played a main role in organizing support for the construction of a grand temple at the Janmabhoomi site.

In the 1980s, the movement gained spark as the VHP and other organizations reunited the improvement of the Janmabhoomi and the construction of the Ram temple. The rallying chant “Jai Shree Ram” replication across the world and believers contribute funds and bricks written by the slogan.

The demolition of the Babri mosque

The climax of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement came on 6th December 1992, when a large gathering of volunteers organized by VHP and BJP met at the conflicted site in Ayodhya. The situation increases rapidly, leading to the violent demolition of the Babri mosque.

The demolition of the Babri mosque had extensive consequences, sparking communal riots and tension between Hindus and Muslims. The incident also had consequences beyond India’s borders, with reports of attacks on Hindu temples in Pakistan and Bangladesh. 

Legal battles and Supreme Court judgment

After the demolition of the Babri mosque, legal battles resulted over the ownership and status of the debated site. Many title debates and legal events unfolded, with multiple parties’ supporting claims to the land.

The case reaches its peak with the Supreme Court of India bringing a landmark judgment on 9th November 2019. The court ruled in favor of the construction of the ram temple at Janmabhoomi site, while also conducting the allocation of a separate piece of land in Ayodhya for the construction of a mosque.

Formation of Rama Janmabhoomi Teertha Khetra

Following the Supreme Court judgment, the Indian government formed Rama Janmabhoomi Teertha Khetra, a trust invested in overseeing the construction of the Ram temple. The trust composed of important members, was given the responsibility of fundraising, planning, and executing the constructions.

Beginning of temple construction

The construction of the Ram Temple officially began in March 2020, with the foundation stone laying ceremony conducted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5th August 2020. The event was marked as an important moment in the cultural and religious history of Ayodhya.

The construction faced temporary suspension because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The project continues by May 2023, substantial progress has been made, with 70% of groundwork and 40% of roof work completed.

Scheduled installation of lord ram idol

The ceremony of installation of lord ram idol in Garbhagriha is scheduled for 22nd January 2024. Champat Rai, the general secretary of Rama Janmabhoomi Teertha Khetra Trust, led the ceremony. The prime minister of India received a formal invitation to attend the event.

Bhoomi Pooja ceremony  

The official beginning of temple construction happened after the Bhoomi pooja ceremony on 5th August 2020. The ceremony involves Vedic rituals and the installation of 40 silver bricks as the foundation stone by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. The event was led up by a three-day series of religious rituals and prayers.

Donation and fundraising

The temple trust organized a nationwide “Mass contact and contribution campaign” to reach 550-600 million people. Voluntary donations of Rs 10 and more are accepted. The president of India Ram Nath Kovind gave the first donation of Rs 501,000 in January 2021. By April 2021, approx. Rs 5,000 crore was collected from donations across India. The campaign also received contributions from Muslim and Christian communities.

Shop them here: https://dhwaniastro.com/categories

Read more:  https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:share:7155521161194340352/

Check your horoscope here: https://dhwaniastro.com/blog/today-s-horoscope-astrological-prediction-for-23-january-2024-

For more such content, visit Dhwani Astro (Instagram @dhwaniastro), and for personal clarifications book a consultation at www.dhwaniastro.com