What Does Ram Mandir Mean to an Ordinary Indian?

It's a moment in history that shows that, as a country, we have faith in our institutions

- Kishore Desai

ALL preparations for the Pran Pratistha ceremony of the idol of Shri Ram lalla (the child form of Lord Ram) are in full swing. The term Pran Pratistha refers to the sacred process of invoking divine consciousness into an idol through rituals and procedures prescribed in the ancient Vedic scriptures. Hindus believe that after performing the rituals of consecration, an idol is no longer an idol; it becomes a live form of the God, fully imbibing his consciousness and divinity. This is a momentous occasion for millions of devotees of Lord Ram who have been eagerly awaiting the Lord’s homecoming to Ayodhya, his birthplace. A sense of joy, excitement and happiness is palpable across the country.

The issue of Ram Mandir has occupied a pivotal position in the national discourse for years now. Now that the dispute is settled and the grand temple is nearing its completion, it is natural to ponder what this means for us, ordinary Indians. Is this just another temple in a country where, as such, there is no dearth of temples? Or is it much more than that? Honestly, these are questions where it’s almost impossible to present objective arguments. These are meant to be personal choices. But since I have keenly followed developments pertaining to the temple, I do have some perspectives. In my view, this entire journey to Ram Mandir gives an interesting insight on what India and Indians are made of—our values, virtues, beliefs and character.