Ayodhya: Silver brick laid at temple site; PM Modi, Mohan Bhagwat present at ceremony

Ayodhya Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid a silver brick to mark the foundation ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Modi is among the 175 people present at the ceremony. He shared the dais with just four other people — RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, trust chief Nritya Gopaldas Maharaj, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, and CM Yogi Adityanath. Keeping in mind the pandemic, seating arrangements were made in accordance with social distancing principles.

Before this, the prime minister along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had offered prayers at Hanuman Garhi. Modi also paid a visit to Ram Janmabhoomi.

Ahead of the ceremony, Ayodhya has been decked up. The city has been painted yellow – an auspicious colour of knowledge and learning. On Tuesday, prayers were offered to the nishan (flag) of Lord Hanuman, revered as the protector of the city. Starting Tuesday, all local temples started a continuous Akhand Ramayan recitation with temples and homes being lit as in Diwali. The same will continue August 5 night.

Left parties opposed the event, saying holding the ceremony with the “involvement” of the Centre and the state government went against the Supreme Court verdict which directed the formation of a trust. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, meanwhile, hoped that the ceremony became an occasion for national unity, fraternity and cultural congregation.

On Wednesday, PM Modi is expected to start the event by offering prayers at the famous Hanuman Garhi temple, where he is scheduled to spend no more than seven minutes. He is then expected to visit the makeshift Ram Lalla temple made of wood and glass, where he will be given chandan and prasad after he offers flowers to the deity.

 Fire brigade personnel sanitise the area near Saket Degree College ahead of the ground breaking ceremony for the Ram Temple, in Ayodhya. (Photo: PTI)

The bhoomi poojan will include chanting of mantras, and after shovelling the earth, worship of the ground and the shila. As per officials in Ayodhya, a 22.60 kg brick made of pure silver will be used for the bhoomi poojan ceremony.

Following the Wednesday programme, the construction of the temple will begin in full swing. Members of the trust claim the construction will take between six months and a year.