As the cherished moment approaches for the Consecration Ceremony of the Ram Mandir in the sacred land of Lord Rama Janmabhoomi (Ayodhya), let’s take a poignant journey through the rich tapestry of its history. Each brick echoes with the profound tales of devotion, resilience, and the collective spirit of a nation. A sacred chapter unfolds, binding past and present, as Ayodhya prepares to embrace the divine culmination of a timeless legacy.

Let’s turn the pages of history that have shaped this sacred land:

Ancient Roots: Ayodhya, a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, has been traditionally regarded as the birthplace of Lord Rama, a significant figure in Hindu mythology. According to the epic Ramayana, Lord Rama is said to have been born in Ayodhya.

Babri Masjid Construction: The Babri Masjid, an Islamic mosque, was built in Ayodhya in the 16th century during the Mughal era. It is believed to have been constructed by the Mughal emperor Babur’s general Mir Baqi.

Dispute Emerges: In the 19th century, disputes over the ownership and use of the site began to arise. Hindus claimed that the mosque was built on the birthplace of Lord Rama, while Muslims considered the mosque a holy site.

1986: The turning point in the Ayodhya dispute came in 1986 when the locks of the Babri Masjid were opened, allowing Hindus to worship inside. This led to increased tensions between the communities.

1992 – Demolition: On December 6, 1992, the Babri Masjid was demolished by a large mob of Hindu activists. The event sparked communal riots across India and led to significant political repercussions.

Legal Battles: Subsequent to the demolition, legal battles ensued to determine the ownership of the site. Various parties, including Hindu and Muslim groups, filed petitions.

Land Dispute Resolution: In 2010, the Allahabad High Court delivered a verdict on the Ayodhya land dispute. It ordered a three-way division of the disputed site among the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara, and the party representing the deity Ram lalla.

Supreme Court Verdict: The long-standing legal battle reached a culmination in November 2019 when the Supreme Court of India pronounced its judgment. The court ruled in favour of the construction of a Hindu temple at the disputed site and allocated an alternative piece of land for the construction of a mosque.

Ram Mandir Construction: Following the Supreme Court verdict, the construction of the Ram Mandir (temple) began in Ayodhya. The temple is envisioned as a grand structure that will become a symbol of cultural and religious significance.

Ceremonial Consecration: The Ram Temple’s consecration ceremony will take place at 12.20 pm on January 22, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top leaders from the country. The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust has decided to enthrone Ram Lalla at the sanctum-sanctorum of the Ram Temple at noon on January 22. The trust has also invited 4,000 saints of all sects for the ceremony. Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) in Ayodhya will begin on January 16, a week before the main ceremony.

The history of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir reflects a complex interplay of historical, religious, and political factors, and its construction remains a significant event in India’s cultural and social landscape.