Ayodhya Temple- Ram Mandir- History, Role of Judiciary(1949-2020), Construction and Inauguration, Historic Event on January 22nd

(Ayodhya temple, Ram Mandir, Uttar Pradesh, Lord Ram, Ramayana, Babur, Mughal Dynasty, Babri Masjid, Hindu, Muslim, 1992, Rath Yatra, Somnath, Gujarat, Ayodhya, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Central Bureau of Investigation, communal violence, judiciary, Allahabad High Court, Supreme Court of India, law suit, Faizabad Court, Nirmohi Akhara, Sunni Central Waqf Board, Lucknow, Ram Janambhoomi, Trust, land dispute, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi, Constitutional Bench)

India is on the verge of witnessing a significant religious spectacle in the form of ‘Ram Mandir-Ayodhya temple. It is intended to be a major landmark in the history of Indian temples. It will be counted as one of the largest temples of the country, constructed in the post-independence era. It is hailed as a fusion of cutting-edge technical comforts and timeless Indian customs. It is a Hindu temple located in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

HISTORY OF AYODHYA TEMPLE-RAM MANDIR

The site at which the present day Ayodhya temple is being constructed is believed to have been the birth-place of Lord Ram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, as stated in the epic of Ramayana. There used to be a temple in the same place in the ancient history and Lord Ram was worshipped by Hindus on a large scale as a primary deity. However, from a historical standpoint, it is known that Babur, the most powerful ruler of the Mughal dynasty and founder of Mughal Empire in India, had demolished that temple and he constructed a mosque known as ‘Babri Masjid’ in its place.

This was an incident which dated back to 16^th century. Since then many consequents events kept following in the site often leading to religious conflicts. But the issue got its momentum when in the year 1992, the Babri Masjid was demolished by right wing Hindu Karsevaks in an outrage of arrest of the former BJP leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Shri Lal Krishna Advani along with Murli Manohar Joshi, Kalyan Singh and Uma Bharti. The arrest was a succeeding act of a ‘Rath Yatra’ led by L.K. Advani in September, 1990 from Somnath in Gujarat to Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

It was a sort of people’s movement regarding religious awakening. This movement witnessed communal conflicts in various states like Gujarat, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. There were a total of 32 people accused and acquitted by Central Bureau of Investigation, (CBI). However, this act further aggravated the issue ultimately resulting in widespread communal violence across the nation.

JUDICIAL INTERVENTION AND ITS ROLE IN RAM MANDIR-AYODHYA TEMPLE DISPUTE: TIMELINE (1949-2020)

The thrust of the controversy regarding Ram Mandir was all about the possession of the land. Who possesses the land: The Hindus or the Muslims?

Following this dispute, let us reflect back on the preceding legal events until 2020-

• 1949– On 22^nd December, 1949, a group of Hindus placed a set of idols of God under the dome of the Babri Masjid which led to a chaotic situation. The Faizabad Court ordered the site to be placed under custody of the state government, particularly under the control of the Chairman of Municipal Board to prevent further conflicts.
• 1959- Nirmohi Akhara filed a title suit claiming that it is the rightful manager of the site, which they referred as ‘Ram Janambhumi’.
• 1961– The Sunni Central Board of Waqfs, Uttar Pradesh, also filed a suit claiming possession over the site.
• 1989- Deoki N Agarwal, senior advocate, dragged all suits to Allahabad High Court by filing a suit in support of Hindus at the Court.
• 1992– Babri Masjid was demolished
• 2010– The Allahabad High Court issued a judgement over equal distribution into three parts.
• 2011– The three parties showed disagreement and filed appeals over land rights. Therefore, the Supreme Court issued a stay order on the former order issued by the Allahabad High Court.
• 2018– a three judge bench was ordered to continue with the hearing process out of which the then Chief Justice Dipak Misra retired in the same year.
• 2019- Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi relocated the dispute to a Constitution Bench of five judges. Later in this year, attempts were being made for mediation but no productive developments took place. It was post August, 2019 that the Supreme Court began its final hearings on the case. Considering the appeals made by Nirmohi Akhara and Sunni Waqf Board, the court laid out its final verdict on 9^th November, in favour of Hindus, thus issuing an order to grant an alternative site for setting up a mosque.
• 2020– Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced setting up of ‘Shri Ram Janambhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trust’on 5^th February, 2020. The trust will be independent to take all decisions for construction of the Ayodhya temple. At the same time the Hon’ble Prime Minister also requested the UP government to allocate 5 acres of land to the Sunni Waqf Board.

For a detailed view of the timeline please click on the link below:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1601984

CONSTRUCTION OF RAM MANDIR-AYODHYA TEMPLE, UTTAR PRADESH:

• TRUST FORMATION: Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust (SRJBTKshetra) is set up by Government of India to construct the Shri Ram Mandir- Ayodhya Temple at Shri Ram Janmbhoomi. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced the formation of the trust in Lok Sabha on 5^th February, 2020. The trust comprises of 15 members out of which 12 members were nominated by the Government of India and during the first meeting additional 3 members were selected with its registered office at New Delhi and camp office at Ramkot, Ayodhya.
• CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE: On 11^th November, 2020, the trust approved the Construction Committee as per the Trust Deed. The Committee comprises of the following members:
• Shri Nripendra Mishra, IAS (Retd.), Chairman, Ayodhya Temple Construction Committee and Member Trust.
• Shri Shatrughan Singh, IAS (Retd.), ex-Chief Secretary Government of Uttarakhand-Member
• Shri Diwakar Tripathi, IAS (Retd.), Managing Head, Hanuman Temple, near Lucknow University, Lucknow- Member
• Prof. Raman Surie, Retired Dean, School of Architecture, Delhi- Member
• Shri K. K Sharma, IPD (Retd.), ex-DG, BSF- Member
• Shri Anoop Mittal, ex-CMD, National Building Construction Corporation- Member
• Shri Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Comptroller& Auditor General of India- Member.

CONSTRUCTION DESIGN FOLLOWED IN AYODHYA TEMPLE:

Main Ayodhya temple features and specifications:

The main Ayodhya temple along with other temples and pilgrim sites will be spread across 70 acres of land consisting of the following sites:

1. Shri Ram Kund– Yagyashala (Home of Holy Offering)
2. Karm Kshetra– Anusthaan Mandap (House of Holy Rituals)
3. Hanuman Gadhi– Veer Maruti Vishal Pratima (Gigantic Statue of Lord Hanuman)
4. Shri Ramlala Purakalik Darshan Mandal– Janambhoomi Sangrahalaya (For the display of archaeological and historic relic related to Lord Ram’s birth place)
5. Shri Kamm Keerti– Satsang Bhavan Sabhagaar ( House for discourse and mass prayer)
6. Guru Vashishtha Peethika– Ved Puran, Ramayan evam Sanskrit Adhyayan Anusandhaan Anukshetra (Center of study for research on Ved, Puran, Ramayan and Sanskrit)
7. Bhakti Teela (Special zone for deeper meditation)
8. Tulsi (Ramlila Centre, 360 degree Theatre/ Open Air Theatre)
9. Ram Darbaar Multifunctional/ Projection/Lecture and Communication Center
10. Mata Kaushalya Vatsalya Mandap (Exhibition Hall, Tableau complex)
11. Ramangan (Exclusive cinema/ television/ AV based show and Discourse Theatre)
12. Ramayan (Modern A/C library and reading room)
13. Maharishi Valmiki (Archives and Research Center)
14. Ramashrayam (Multi-storey boarding, lodging facility and waiting lounge for outstation devotee
15. Shri Dashrath– Adarsh Goshala (Shelter for Cows)
16. Laxman Vatika (Lily pond and musical fountains)
17. Lav-Kush Nikunj (Activity area for youth and children)
18. Maryada Khand (Special guests residential area like cottages and aparments)
19. Bharat Prasad Mandap (Canopy courts for Naivedya/Prasad/Bhog, distribution and management along with preparation and storage)
20. Mata Sita Rasoi Annakshetra (Large food shelter for mass feeding facility for devotee along with mega kitchen, storage, utensil storage and hand washing facilities)
21. Singhdwar ke Sammukh Deepstambh (Lamp tower in front of Lion Gate Portal)

The bhoomi-poojan (land worship) for the Ayodhya temple was done in the august presence of the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 5^th August, 2020. However, in an official press release, the Chairman of the Construction Committee, Nripendra Mishra revealed that the first phase of construction would be done by the end of 2023.

Inauguration of Ayodhya Temple:

With the ongoing construction activities of the Ayodhya temple, the inauguration and consecration of Ram Lalla idol in the temple is anticipated to take place on 22nd January, 2024. However, there has been a constant rush and competition in hotels and guest house bookings by the public from now onwards to witness the grand ceremony.

7-day schedule for Ram Lalla Consecration Ceremony:

• 16 January: The Temple Trust has painstakingly created a detailed seven-day itinerary outlining a number of ceremonies and activities. On January 16, there will be a cleansing ceremony and Dashvidh bath, which will serve to establish a stage ahead of the sanctification festivities.
• 17 January: The celebrations culminate on January 17 with the expected arrival of the deity of Ram Lalla, a major occurrence that signifies a critical stage in the consecration ritual.
• 18 January: The consecration of life commences on this day, featuring special rituals like Mandap entry puja, vastu puja, and Varun puja, all adding to the auspiciousness of the occasion.
• 19 January: At the Ram Temple, a Yagya fire pit is prepared, and the priest, guided by Vedic mantras and special methods, ignites the sacred fire. This ritual holds special significance for devotees.
• 20 January: The Ram Mandir’s sanctum sanctorium is purified by placing 81 Kalash that are filled with water taken from different rivers. Vastu peace rites are also carried out, which enhances to the temple’s holiness.
• 21 January: On this auspicious day, Ram Lalla will be solemnly bathed and Yagya ceremonies are to be performed, which heightens the spiritual environment.
• 22 January: This hallowed day, which falls under the auspicious Mrigashira Nakshatra, is when the much-awaited consecration takes place. Awaiting this momentous day with much anticipation, devotees hope to catch a sight of Ram Lala at the consecration ceremony.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

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