PM Modi To Hoist Saffron Flag At Newly Completed Ram Temple In Ayodhya
Ayodhya was steeped in devotion early Tuesday morning as thousands of pilgrims poured into the temple town ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival for the ceremonial hoisting of a saffron flag atop the Ram temple.
This is a ritual that marks the formal completion of the temple’s construction.
From before sunrise, the city reverberated with chants of “Jai Shri Ram,” as visiting saints, seers and devotees described the Dhwaj Arohan ceremony as a moment of fulfilment.
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Many arriving pilgrims said the day felt like the culmination of centuries of faith, struggle and expectation.
A special invitee to the Ram Mandir Trust confirmed that the sacred flag-hoisting ceremony will be conducted jointly by Prime Minister Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Officials told The Hindu that public darshan may resume by Tuesday evening, depending on the schedule, but will certainly reopen on Wednesday.
Inside the temple, priests have been conducting elaborate rituals for the past four days, preparing for what many believe is one of Ayodhya’s most spiritually significant mornings in modern history.
Meanwhile, the temple town has been placed under an extensive security blanket. Every entry point is under tight surveillance, with heavy checking of vehicles and verification of visitors.
As many as 6,970 personnel, including ATS commandos, NSG snipers, cyber monitoring teams and technical units, have been deployed across Ayodhya. Anti-drone systems and advanced surveillance networks are operational around key zones.
On Monday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed the preparations on-site and issued instructions to ensure smooth arrangements for the ceremonial event.
Senior security officers are overseeing crowd movement, security screening, explosives detection and emergency response mechanisms. Bomb squads, dog squads, VVIP security units, fire teams and rapid response forces are stationed across sensitive locations.
The prime minister will hoist a 10-foot-high, 20-foot-long saffron flag featuring a radiant Sun symbolising Lord Ram’s valour, an ‘Om’, and the sacred Kovidara tree.
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The flag will be placed atop a shikhar built in the traditional Nagara architectural style.
The ceremony coincides with Panchami of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Margashirsha — the auspicious Abhijit Muhurat associated with Shri Ram and Mata Sita’s Vivah Panchami.
The day also marks the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur, who meditated in Ayodhya for 48 hours in the 17th century.
During his visit, the prime minister will offer prayers at the Ram Darbar Garbh Grah, Ram Lalla Garbh Grah, Saptmandir, Sheshavtar Mandir and the Mata Annapurna temple.
The newly completed complex showcases 87 carved stone episodes from the Valmiki Ramayana on the outer walls, along with 79 bronze depictions from Indian culture adorning the enclosure walls.
(With inputs from agencies)
