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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ayodhya today to ceremonially hoist a saffron flag on the spire of the Ram Temple, marking the formal completion of the temple’s construction. The event is being referred to as a symbolic “second pran pratishtha”, following the consecration of Ram Lalla in the sanctum sanctorum in January 2024. After the hoisting, the prime minister will address devotees gathered for the ceremony.
Security has been tightened ahead of the visit, with 6,970 personnel deployed across the city, including ATS commandos, NSG snipers, cyber teams and specialised technical units.
The PM will hoist a right-angled triangular flag measuring 10 feet by 20 feet. The flag features a radiant Sun symbol representing Lord Ram’s valour, the sacred ‘Om’ symbol, and an image of the Kovidara tree. The flag will be installed atop a shikhar built in the Nagara architectural style, while the surrounding 800-metre Parkota highlights diverse architectural elements of the temple complex.
Thousands of devotees have already reached Ayodhya for darshan ahead of the ceremony, and large domestic and international footfall is expected. The Prime Minister’s Office said the saffron flag embodies dignity, unity and cultural continuity, reflecting the ideals of Ram Rajya.
During his stay, he will visit the Saptmandir complex, which includes shrines dedicated to Maharshi Vashishtha, Maharshi Vishwamitra, Maharshi Agastya, Maharshi Valmiki, Devi Ahilya, Nishadraj Guha and Mata Shabari. He will also offer prayers at the Sheshavtar Mandir and Mata Annapurna temple, concluding with darshan and pooja at the Ram Darbar Garbh Grah.
The event coincides with Panchami of Shukla Paksha in the month of Margashirsha and the Abhijit Muhurat associated with Shri Ram and Sita’s Vivah Panchami. The date also marks the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, who meditated in Ayodhya for 48 hours in the 17th century.
Ayodhya has been adorned with elaborate floral decorations, with nearly 100 tonnes of flowers used across the city. PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the temple during the Bhoomi Pujan on August 5, 2020, and the grand Pran Pratishtha was held on January 22, 2024.
