Ayodhya (UP), Jan 11 (UNI) Participating in the first anniversary of the consecration of Shri Ram Lalla at the grand Ram Janmabhoomi temple, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that truth cannot be hidden forever and eventually comes to light.
The CM said, "Today, the country and the world witness the grand temple of Lord Ram Lalla at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya as a testament to that truth."
He said that the construction of the magnificent temple sends a powerful message to suppressed civilizations and cultures worldwide that rights can be reclaimed through democratic and constitutional means. "Despite countless sacrifices for Ram Janmabhoomi and enduring an 'Agnipariksha' with unwavering values, patience remained integral to this campaign. It is a path we are all expected to follow," he said.
During the event held at Angad Tila, Yogi lit a lamp and offered floral tributes to the image of Shri Ram Lalla. He also paid homage to former Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Ashok Singhal.
He stated that, according to the Hindu calendar, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has organised a three-day event as part of Pratishtha-Dwadashi to commemorate the first anniversary of the consecration of Lord Ramlala's idol at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi.
He said, "On December 22, 1949, Ram Lalla revealed himself at his birthplace, marking the beginning of a long and arduous journey. Today, after one year of consecration ceremony, we stand here overwhelmed with pride and joy, celebrating this auspicious occasion. Many significant dates followed, during which every Indian displayed patience and dignity while enduring the 'agnipariksha.' However, the unwavering goal remained to secure Lord Shri Ram's rightful place."
The CM recalled the historic developments that led to this moment. "On November 9, 2019, the judiciary unanimously ruled that the site of the disputed structure in Ayodhya is indeed Ramjanmabhoomi, and directed the formation of a trust to facilitate the construction of a grand temple."
He said, "On August 5, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ayodhya Dham to inaugurate the grand Ram temple program for Lord Ram. Finally, on January 22, 2024 (Paush Shukla Dwadashi), PM Modi, in the presence of saints and leaders from across the nation, brought an end to a 500-year wait by consecrating Ram Lalla at his birthplace."
Highlighting the remarkable transformation of Ayodhya since the consecration of Ram Lalla, Yogi said, "On average, 1.5 to 2 lakh devotees now visit Ayodhya Dham daily. The vibrant and transformed state of Ayodhya is visible to all. Ten years ago, no one imagined that Ayodhya would reclaim its rightful place."
He said prior to 2014-2017, Ayodhya faced severe neglect. "Electricity supply was limited to just three to four hours a day. The waters of the Saryu would stagnate in Ram ki Paidi. Thousands of years ago, Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya in the Pushpak Viman after conquering Lanka, yet even after millennia, Ayodhya lacked an Airport. Today, Ayodhya boasts an international Airport. Its roads, with four and six lanes, remind us of the grandeur of Treta Yug. The ghats of Saryu now attract countless visitors, and the waters of the Saryu no longer stagnate in Ram ki Paidi," he said.
The CM said that Ayodhya has now truly reclaimed its identity as Ayodhya. "The capital of Suryavanshi, Ayodhya, has become the country's first solar city. This is the new Uttar Pradesh of a new India, and the new Ayodhya of this UP is connecting the entire nation with the pride of being a sacred pilgrimage site."
He emphasized that this transformation was not achieved overnight but through a long and arduous struggle. "Dozens of generations passed away with a single wish to see Lord Ram Lalla seated in Ayodhya. While many saints and devotees left with this dream unfulfilled, their resolve never faltered. We are fortunate to witness this historic moment with our own eyes," he said.
Yogi expressed gratitude to the countless Ram bhakts, kar sevaks and revered saints who endured immense struggles and trials to achieve this goal. "From 1528 to December 6, 1992, every 15-20 years, Hindu society continued its efforts to reclaim the Janmabhoomi. The journey was marked by struggles and sacrifices, but everyone shared one unwavering objective, the construction of the Ram Mandir," he said.
He shared that reflecting on history stirs deep emotions, but 'witnessing the present results fills us with joy, as we are all fortunate to experience this transformation'.
Goraksha Peethadheeshwar recalled that three generations of his lineage had been involved in this movement. "Although I could not meet Pujya Mahant Digvijaynath Maharaj, I heard many stories from Pujya Gurudev. I remember in 2014, when Pujya Gurudev was taking his last breath, he had a final conversation with Ashok Singhal ji in the hospital. For many days, Guruji couldn’t speak, but as I looked at Ashok ji, he finally asked, 'the Ram Mandir will be built, right?’ Ashok ji reassured him, 'Get well, the temple will definitely be built'. A few days later, Gurudev departed from his physical form," he said.
He said, "The uninterrupted lineage of saints, including Baba Aviramdas, Pujya Paramhans Ramchandra Das Maharaj, Shankaracharya and Ramanujacharya, along with the successful leadership of the RSS, kept the movement going. Today, we see that the struggle for the janmabhoomi has achieved its meaningful goal."
The CM said that anyone who visits Ayodhya today leaves deeply moved. "Those who saw Ayodhya five or ten years ago now feel as though they are experiencing Treta Yuga. In one or two years, when the Ram Janmabhoomi premises are completed in their most magnificent form, Ayodhya will emerge as not just the most beautiful and spiritual city, but as the most magnificent religious destination in the world," he said.
He emphasized that for four years, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust worked tirelessly, without regard for day or night, sunshine or rain. "Their sole focus was to give the temple a grand form while connecting it with the consecration ceremony of Lord Ram Lalla," he added.
Yogi said, "Arrangements were made to accommodate millions of Ram devotees. The Trust works tirelessly, day and night, to fulfill the wishes of the devotees. Once the entire complex is completed, it will set a benchmark for how religious places of Sanatan Dharma should be built. This grand temple at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi will serve as a new source of inspiration for all places of Sanatan Dharma."
He said that during times of division in society, places of worship were insulted. "If we remain divided along caste lines or other ideologies, we risk facing continuous humiliation. We must unite with the resolve to strengthen national unity. A strong nation, bound by unity, will make Sanatan Dharma, the country, and all of us stronger. However, if the nation is divided on the basis of caste, region, or language, the brunt will first be borne by religious places, and by our sisters and daughters. The essence of Pratishtha Dwadashi is a call to strengthen national unity," he said.
The CM shared that during the consecration ceremony, Prime Minister Modi had appealed to the people of the country and had said, "Lord Ram is the symbol of the nation. If there is Ram, there is a nation, and if there is a nation, there is Ram. Both are inseparable and complement each other."
He further emphasised that India exists today because of these deities and under the leadership of PM Modi, New India is being forged. "It is our collective responsibility to be a part of this campaign," he said.
He also highlighted the upcoming Maha Kumbh, set to take place in Prayagraj from January 13. "Just like Ayodhya, Prayagraj will soon offer grand facilities. The Prayagraj Mahakumbh is being seen as a blend of grandeur, divinity, faith and modernity," he said.
The CM urged everyone to visit and take a holy dip in the Triveni, experiencing firsthand the amplified glory of Sanatan Dharma.
The occasion was attended by Mahant Dinendra Das Ji Maharaj, Dharamdas Ji Maharaj, Giani Gurjit Singh, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirth Kshetra Trust’s General Secretary Champat Rai, VHP Central Officer Dinesh, Cabinet Ministers Surya Pratap Shahi, Swatantra Dev Singh, Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi, District Panchayat President Roli Singh, MLAs Ved Prakash Gupta, Ramchandra Yadav, Abhay Singh, Amit Singh Chauhan, among others.
Before returning to Lucknow, the CM made a visit to Sankatmochan Hanumangarhi. There, he prayed for the well-being and prosperity of the people of UP, performing the traditional rituals in reverence.
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