Ayodhya is witnessing a momentous occasion today as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat are set to share the stage for the Dhwaja Rohan (flag-hoisting) ceremony at the Ram Temple. The event marks the formal completion of the temple's construction, nearly two years after the consecration of Ram Lalla in the sanctum sanctorum on January 22, 2024, which was also presided over by PM Modi.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to hoist the ‘Dharam Dhwaja’, a saffron flag, atop the temple spire at approximately 12:00 PM. The triangular flag, measuring 11 feet in height and 22 feet in length, features the image of a radiant Sun symbolizing Lord Rama's brilliance and valour, along with an 'Om' symbol and a Kovidara tree. Saffron flags will also be unfurled on all seven spires of the temple.
The significance of the date, November 25th, lies in Hindu mythology, as it coincides with Vivaah Panchami, the auspicious day commemorating the marriage of Lord Rama and Sita in the Treta Yuga. The event is expected to draw national attention to Ayodhya, highlighting the temple's spiritual and cultural importance.
Prior to the flag-hoisting ceremony, PM Modi is expected to visit the Saptmandir complex around 10:00 AM to offer prayers at the temples dedicated to Maharshi Vashishtha, Maharshi Vishwamitra, Maharshi Agastya, Maharshi Valmiki, Devi Ahilya, Nishadraj Guha, and Mata Shabari. He will then visit the Sheshavtar Mandir, followed by the Mata Annapurna Mandir at around 11:00 AM, where he will offer prayers at the Ram Darbar Garbh Grah. The Prime Minister will also pay obeisance to the idol of Lord Rama.
In preparation for the event, Ayodhya has been decorated with 100 kg of flowers, and significant security measures have been implemented. Entry of heavy vehicles into Ayodhya has been restricted. Thousands of saints from eastern Uttar Pradesh have been invited, and approximately 7,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony. The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has also invited around 900 individuals involved in the temple's construction and major donors.
The Uttar Pradesh government anticipates that the flag hoisting will mark the beginning of a new era for Ayodhya, blending cultural heritage and modernity inspired by Vedic philosophy. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that the event would inscribe Ayodhya's name in golden letters on the pages of history. The city is undergoing rapid transformation with improvements to roads, the railway station, riverfront ghats, and overall urban modernization.
The flag-hoisting ceremony is expected to further boost religious tourism in Ayodhya, with visitor numbers projected to reach 50 crore by December. This surge is anticipated to significantly impact the local economy and hospitality sector, with tourism revenue potentially reaching ₹4 lakh crore. Currently, Ayodhya contributes 1.5% to Uttar Pradesh's gross state domestic product (GSDP), and this share is expected to increase as tourism expands.
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat arrived in Ayodhya on Monday and visited the Ram Mandir to offer prayers and inspect preparations for the ceremony. He met with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and stayed with senior RSS officials at the RSS's Ayodhya office.
The event has generated excitement among Ayodhya residents, who view it as the fulfillment of a centuries-old dream and a moment of profound pride for followers of Sanatan Dharma worldwide.
