PM Modi Hoists Saffron Flag at Ayodhya's Ram Mandir During Historic Dhwaj Arohan Ceremony

PM Modi hoisted a saffron flag at Ayodhya's Ram Mandir during the sacred "Dhwaj Arohan" ceremony

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hoisted a saffron flag at Ayodhya's Ram Mandir during a sacred ceremony called "Dhwaj Arohan" and declared that "wounds and pain of centuries are healing today".

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PM Modi hoisted a 22-foot religious flag and conducted the rituals surrounded by sadhus, dignitaries, and Ram Janambhoomi Trust members. In his subsequent address, he stated that a "500-year-old resolve is being fulfilled".

"Ayodhya is witnessing another epochal event in its history... The entire country and globe are immersed in Ram," he remarked.

He addressed misconceptions by stating, "The distortion is that we borrowed democracy from abroad. Democracy is in our DNA."

The right-angled triangular saffron flag displays the Sun symbol - representing eternal energy, divine radiance, virtue, and enlightenment, along with qualities associated with Lord Ram. The flag - also bearing the 'Om' symbol -- was positioned atop a 'shikhar' constructed in traditional North Indian Nagara architectural style.

The ceremony occurred on a day coinciding with Ram and Sita's Vivah Panchami Muhurat, according to the Prime Minister's office.

"The date also marks the martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, who meditated in Ayodhya for 48 uninterrupted hours in the 17th century," stated a release from PM Modi's office.

The rituals were conducted by 108 Acharyas from Ayodhya, Kashi, and South India, under renowned Kashi scholar Ganeshwar Shastri's guidance.

The temple remained accessible only to guests with QR-coded passes until 2.30 pm.

The city underwent extensive preparations for the visit -- roads were thoroughly cleaned, new stop signs installed, and sanitation teams performed comprehensive maintenance. The trust anticipated nearly 6,000 invited guests for this historic occasion.

PM Modi had previously presided over Ram Lalla idol's consecration on January 22, 2024. He had laid the Ram Mandir foundation stone in August 2020 -- approximately a year after the Supreme Court awarded the 2.77-acre disputed land for temple construction.