PM Modi will hoist a saffron flag at Ayodhya’s Ram temple today, marking the completion of the Mandir. (Image Credit: BBC)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Ayodhya today to ceremoniously hoist a saffron flag atop the spire of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, marking what many describe as the symbolic "second pran pratishtha" of the completed temple structure. The event, scheduled at noon, is being seen as a historic moment that formally declares the completion of the Ram Mandir after Ram Lalla's consecration in January 2024.
The flag-hoisting ceremony falls on a day that coincides with Margashirsha Shukla Panchami, an auspicious day associated with the divine wedding of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita, known as Vivah Panchami.
The date is also considered the martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur, believed to have meditated in Ayodhya for 48 hours in the 17th century. This coincidence of traditions has lent spiritual depth to today’s event.
This is a right-angled triangular saffron flag, 10 feet high and 20 feet long, with the image of a radiant Sun symbolising the brilliance and valour of Lord Rama. It also carries an ‘Om’ and the depiction of the Kovidara tree.
According to officials associated with the event, the flag represents dignity, unity, cultural continuity, and the timeless ideals of Ram Rajya. Its hoisting signifies the temple’s architectural and spiritual completion.
The flag will be hoisted on a shikhar designed in the traditional North Indian Nagara architectural style. An 800-metre parkota surrounds the inner sanctum, with intricate carvings and various influences combined in the architecture of the temple.
Nearly 100 tons of flowers have been used to deck up Ayodhya on this occasion, with major pathways, temple courtyards, and entry zones being decorated extensively.
While in Ayodhya, he is also expected to pay a visit to the Saptmandir complex, which houses temples dedicated to Maharshi Vashishtha, Maharshi Vishwamitra, Maharshi Agastya, Maharshi Valmiki, Devi Ahilya, Nishadraj Guha and Mata Shabari.
PM Modi will also visit the Sheshavtar Mandir and the Mata Annapurna temple while offering darshan and pooja at the Ram Darbar Garbh Grah and the sanctum of Ram Lalla.
Ayodhya has been turned into a high-security zone for the ceremony. As many as 7,000 security personnel have been deployed, including ATS commandos, NSG snipers, cyber-monitoring teams and specialized technical units.
Major stretches, particularly the 2.5-km Ram Path to the temple, are under strict control measures. Movement is being regulated. Overall, security forces are monitoring crowd flow, drone activity and communication networks across the city.
Thousands of devotees have already started gathering for darshan in advance of the event. As many as 6,000 guests invited from the Purvanchal and Awadh regions, most of them middle and lower-income groups, are expected to attend.
The guest list includes almost 900 people identified with temple construction engineers, artisans, labourers, and donors to ensure wide representation of those who contributed to the project.
