Ayodhya Ram Mandir: History, Guests, Donation, Prasad, and More

The testament of time and belief stands in the Ayodhya Ram Mandir – a symbol of devotion, a culmination of centuries of hope, and a turning point in India’s socio-religious landscape. Its story is embedded in history and represents the triumph of faith, perseverance, and the power of peaceful resolution.

For countless Hindus, Ayodhya has been synonymous with Lord Rama, and the Ram Janmabhoomi, the site believed to be his birthplace, has held an unparalleled purity. 

Ayodhya Ram Mandir History and the Spirit of Faith

For decades, this faith was captured in a complex, emotional, and, at times, turbulent legal battle. The disputed site held a mosque, the Babri Masjid, whose demolition in 1992 sparked communal tensions and reignited the long-fought Ayodhya dispute.

The following years marked legal proceedings, social anxieties, and a constant yearning for resolution. Finally, in 2019, the Supreme Court of India delivered a landmark verdict, awarding the disputed land to the Hindus to construct the Ayodhya Ram Mandir. A wave of happiness swept the nation, marking a historic moment in India’s religious and political history.

Today, the Ram Mandir is under construction, a majestic vision taking shape under the watchful eyes of devotees and curious onlookers. Every stone laid, every intricately carved pillar, speaks of dedication, faith, and an enduring spirit. The temple, designed in the grand Nagara style, promises to be an architectural marvel.

History of Ram Mandir

• 1528: A mosque is built on the alleged site of a temple by Mughal emperor Babar.
• 1853: First recorded communal violence at the disputed site.
• 1859: Mahant Raghubir Das filed a suit making a plea to build a temple on Ram Chabootra, but his plea was rejected after a year by the Faizabad district court. 
• 1949: The idol of Lord Ram is found inside the mosque. Both sides file suit. The government locks the site, proclaiming it a disputed area. 
• 1950: Gopal Singh Visharad files first title suit asking for the right to worship the idol. 
• 1959: Nirmohi Akhara files the third suit, asking for the possession of the site. 
• 1961: UP Sunni Central Board of Waqf claims the possession 
• 1984: A nationwide movement starts for the construction of a temple by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) 
• 1986: A district judge allows “darshan” of the idol
• 1989: VHP lays the foundation of the Ram Mandir adjacent to the mosque, carries out the Shilanyas ceremony, and lays the first stone of this Ram Mandir. 
• 1990: LK Advani advocates the temple construction in a rath yatra 
• 1992: Babri Masjid is demolished, leading to nationwide communal riots
• 2002: 3 Allahabad High Court judges start hearing on who owns the disputed land
• 2003: ASI discovers evidence of the presence of non-muslim structures under the mosque. 
• 2010: Allahabad High Court, with a 2:1 majority, rules a three-way division of the disputed area between the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara, and Ram Lalla. 
• 2019: The five-judge bench ordered the construction of the temple on that disputed land and allotted 5 acres of land at another place to construct the mosque. 

With this, on the historic day of November 9, 2019, the 70-year-long dispute concluded in the victory of faith and perseverance.

All About Ayodhya Ram Mandir

Excitement pulses throughout India as the long-awaited Ram Mandir nears completion. Devotees across India eagerly await the auspicious dates marking its opening and ultimate consecration.

• Ayodhya Ram Mandir Opening Date: While construction of the ground floor is on track for completion by January 24, 2024, the official inauguration ceremony is currently set for January 22, 2024. This grand opening, expected to be graced by Prime Minister Modi, will mark the beginning of a new era for the temple and Ayodhya itself.
• Completion Date- From Bricks to Darshan: However, the full glory of the temple won’t be open immediately. The first phase, housing the sanctum sanctorum and Garbh Griha, will open for limited darshan soon after inauguration. The remaining phases, encompassing guest houses, museums, and other facilities, are expected to be completed by February 24, 2024. These dates aren’t mere deadlines; they represent significant milestones in the journey of faith and devotion. 
• Ram Mandir Trust, Registration, and Darshan: Eager to be among the first to offer prayers? The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has already begun accepting online and offline registrations for “Aarti” passes, offering a chance to be present at the inaugural ceremony. Keep an eye on official channels for updates on darshan arrangements and booking procedures in the coming weeks.
• PM Modi will be leading the life of an ascetic for 11 days, following 11-day long fasting with ‘Yam Niyam,’ regular prayers, and yoga, starting from 11 days before the auspicious ceremony to the date “Pran Pratishta” ceremony at Shri Ram Mandir Ayodhya.
• Ayodhya Ram Mandir Budget: Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, responsible for the temple construction, initially estimated the cost at Rs. 1,800 crore (approximately $220 million).

Top Photos of Ram Mandir

Here are the top photos of Ayodhya Ram Mandir you can see:-

Inside the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Invitation Card

The invitation card is a booklet with the timeline of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement’s heroes. As the temple takes shape, the first page whispers “Apoorva Anadik Nimantran” – an eternal invitation. Gracing the next page is a captivating image of Lord Ram Lalla, further amplified by the confirmed presence of esteemed guests.

Beyond the names of dignitaries, the invitation details the day’s itinerary, weaving memories of struggles into the fabric of celebration. On January 22, following morning prayers, the Ram Lala deity will be consecrated in the auspicious “Mrigashira Nakshatra” during the afternoon.

The invitation cards to this historic event, sent to 4,000 dignitaries, including Prime Minister Modi and prominent saints, offer a glimpse into the grandeur and significance of the occasion.

Ayodhya Ram Mandir’s Guest List

Politicians

• Congress leader Sonia Gandhi
• Bihar CM Nitish Kumar
• Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge
• Senior Congress leader Manmohan Singh
• Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
• HD Deve Gowda
• Communist Party of India (Marxist)
• BJP veteran LK Advani
• BJP’s Murli Manohar Joshi
• Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh

Sportsmen

• Virat Kohli
• Sachin Tendulkar
• Ms Dhoni

Celebrities

• Amitabh Bachchan
• Madhuri Dixit
• Rajinikanth
• Akshay Kumar
• Anupam Kher
• Chiranjeevi
• Sanjay Leela Bhansali
• Dhanush
• Mohanlal
• Ranbir Kapoor
• Alia Bhatt
• Rishab Shetty
• Kangana Ranaut
• Tiger Shroff
• Ajay Devgn
• Prabhas
• Yash
• Sunny Deol
• Ayushmann Khurrana
• Arun Govil 
• Deepika Chikhalia Topiwala
• Madhur Bhandarkar
• Mahaveer Jain
• Jackie Shroff

Industrialists

• Mukesh Ambani
• Anil Ambani
• Ratan Tata
• Gautam Adani
• TS Kalyanaraman, MD of Kalyan Jewellers 

Congress Delegates Declined the Invitation

The Congress leaders have declined the invitation and the senior leaders will not attend the inauguration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22. They said “Lord Ram is worshiped by millions in our country” and “Religion is a personal matter”. The Congress party pointed out that the Ayodhya Ram Mandir is being inaugurated way before its completion as a strategy of the BJP to gain votes from Hindu voters.

4 Shankaracharyas also refused to attend the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha Event:-

• Shankaracharya Swami Shri Nishalananda Saraswati
• Shankaracharya Swami Shri Avimukteshwaranand
• Shankaracharya Bharati Teerth
• Shankaracharya Sadanand Saraswati

Interesting Facts About Ram Mandir 

• It is built on 2.67 acres of land inside a 70-acre complex. 
• People believed that an idol of lord Ram appeared inside the Babri Masjid mysteriously, this idol would be moved into the new temple and placed on the throne opposite the new idol of Ram Lalla.
• The new Ram Lalla idol is 51-inch, made by Mysuru-based artist Arun Yogiraj from black stone. It is dressed in a yellow dhoti graced with a golden crown, and necklaces.
• Around half a million devotees visited Ram Mandir on the first day.

World Records Created During the Inauguration of the Ram Temple

• A Guinness World Record was created in Maharashtra for lighting 33,258 ‘Diyas’. 
• The world’s largest rangoli was created by Allahabad University students
• Padmashree winner sand artist Sudharsan Pattanaik created sand art and installed 500 Shri Ram Temple miniature replicas.

How to Get Ayodhya Ram Mandir Prasad Online?

Imagine opening your door to a piece of holy history, a direct link to the auspicious beginnings of the temple. While the inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir promises a monumental physical gathering, distance needn’t be a barrier to experiencing its spiritual significance. Khadi Organic presents a beautiful solution: Ram Mandir’s first-day Prasad, delivered to your doorstep across India. For those unable to physically attend the historic ceremony, Khadi Organic offers a chance to claim free Prasad online. 

Follow the below-given steps to get your prasad at home:-

1. Visit khadiorganic.com.
2. Click on the “Get Your Free Prasad” button on the banner.
3. There will be an estimated wait time.
4. Fill in the required details
5. Pay the nominal delivery fee of Rs 51 (within India).
6. For international delivery of Prasad, you pay the delivery fee of $51.
7. And click submit to secure your free Prasad.
8. You can pick up Prasad from your nearby distribution center for free.

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Ayodhya Ram Mandir Donations

The legacy of this temple extends beyond its physical form; it is built on countless acts of faith. If you yearn to be a part of this history, contributing to the ongoing construction is a profound way to do so.

For those eager to donate, the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, the Ayodhya Ram Mandir trust, has made the process simple and accessible. Whether you’re in India or abroad, various avenues are available to offer your support.

For Indian Donors

• Online Donations: Visit the official website of Shree Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, and securely transfer your contribution via the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) or by scanning the provided QR code.

• Direct Bank Transfers: For those who prefer traditional methods, details of accounts in three designated banks – State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, and Punjab National Bank – are provided on the website. Remember to note each bank’s specific account name, number, and IFSC code.

For Foreign Donors

The trust is now registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), enabling devotees worldwide to contribute. Contact the trust directly for specific details regarding foreign donations and applicable procedures.

Every contribution, big or small, adds a brick to the foundation of this historic temple. Donating isn’t just about funding; it’s about expressing your faith, becoming a part of a collective dream, and leaving a lasting mark on this momentous occasion.

Conclusion

The dream of “Mandir Wahi Banayenge” is turning into reality. The Ayodhya Ram Mandir is a complex and multifaceted subject with historical, religious, and political dimensions that represents the sentiments and faith of millions of Hindus living across the globe. 

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