RAMLALLA RISES IN AYODHYA

New temple dedicated to Lord Ram as a child consecrated in a grand ceremony marked by faith, politics and fervour, in the presence of dignitaries and guests from all walks of life

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday threw open a magnificent new Ram Temple in Ayodhya, turning the page on arguably India's most fractious dispute and fulfilling one of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) core electoral promises in an event that could have a lasting impact on religion and politics in the country.

Modi presided over the ceremony dedicated to the 51-inch black stone idol of the five-year-old god, or Ram Lalla, in front of a thousands-strong crowd comprising India's most celebrated dignitaries from every walk of life. He then spent nearly 40 minutes delivering a rousing speech where he fused faith and governance, transforming the holy moment into a milestone for nation-building and laying a road map for the future course of India.

"22nd January 2024 is not a mere date, it's the origin of a new kal chakra (era)... We have to expand our consciousness from dev to desh, Ram to rashtra - from deity to nation," he said.

Carrying a silver "chattra", or umbrella, for the deity, Modi cantered up 32 steps to enter the temple around 12.10 pm on a crisp chilly day with the winter sun shining down on the 8,000-odd guests comprising top industrialists, sportspersons, politicians, film stars, writers and journalists, and ascetics.

He walked through five halls, or "mandaps", decorated with yellow and saffron marigold flowers, as chants of "Jai Shri Bam" coursed through the crowd like a Mexican Wave. Dressed in a cream kurta paired with a dhoti and patka, he took the pledge for the consecration ceremony and later offered the first prayers to the deity.

"This is a temple of national consciousness in the form of Ram. Lord Ram is India's faith, foundation, idea, law, consciousness, thinking, prestige and glory," he said as the crowd broke into applause.