The origin of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir can be traced back to the ancient Hindu epic, Ramayana. According to the epic, Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Rama. In the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, near the banks of the holy river Saryu Ayodhya city is situated. The site of Ayodhya Ram Mandir is believed to be Ram Janmabhoomi.
Ayodhya Ram Mandir the disputes chapter in India’s political and religious history
The history of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir dates back to the British period. The Babri masjid was constructed by Mughal Emperor Babar in the year 1528 on the site, which is believed to be the site of the Ram Janmabhoomi, the birthplace of Rama.
The first episode of religious violence over the site of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya occurred in 1853. According to reports, the Nirmohis, a Hindu sect, emphasised that a Hindu temple was demolished during Babar’s era to build this mosque.
A few years Later around 1855, the Britishers made a partition at the site and divided it into two sections with the help of a fence. Muslim were given permission to pray within the mosque, while the outer court was granted to Hindus.
Ayodhya Ram Mandir in 1885 Mahant Raghubar Das moves to Court
Raghubar Das, who was the mahant at the Ram chabutra outside the Babri Masjid, filed a suit in the Faizabad civil court seeking permission to build a canopy on Ram Chabutra, a raised platform outside mosque, but it was dismissed by the district court.
Ayodhya Ram Mandir Conclusion
The year 1949 was perhaps one of the most significant turning points in the entire Ayodhya Ram Mandir movement. That year, an idol of Lord Ram was found inside the Babri Masjid.
The Sunni Central Waqf Board filed a suit in Faizabad civil court, declaring Babri Mosque as the property of the board.
A committee led by Vishva Hindu Parishad Party(VHP) was established with a motive to free the birth place of Lord Ram & construct a temple in his honour. Ayodhya court ordered the mosque to be opened for Hindus to offer prayers in 1986.
In 1989 VHP lays Foundation of Ayodhya Ram Mandir
The construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir was initiated by the VHP on the adjacent land to Babri Masjid. A case was filed by former VHP Vice President Justice Deoki Nandan Agarwal, urging the relocation of the mosque. The four pending subsequent suits in the Faizabad court were transferred to a special bench of the High Court.
The Rath Yatra launched by Lal Krishna Advani was another designing moment in the Ayodhya Ram Mandir movement. The BJP’s then president Advani, led the Rath Yatra from Somnath in Gujarat to Ayodhya to express support for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir agitation.
The demolition of Babri Masjid by kar sevaks in 1992 was undoubtedly the biggest triggering point that led to political tensions and communal riots across the country. The demolition took place in the presence of leaders from the Shiv Sena, VHP and BJP.
In 2003 ASI Survey of Disputed Site
In 2003, a three judge bench of the Allahabad High Court, which was hearing to determine the ownership of the disputed land, ordered the Archaeological Survey of India(ASI) to excavate the site and determine if it was a temple earlier. The ASI surveyed the disputed site and reported evidence of a significant Hindu complex beneath the mosque.
In 2010, in the judgement delivered by the Allahabad High Court, it was ruled that the disputed land should be divided into three parts: One-Third was allocated to Ram Lalla, represented by the Hindu Mahasabha, One-third went to the Islamic Waqf Board, and the remaining portion was given to the Nirmohi Akhara. All three parties then approached the Supreme Court in 2011.
In a landmark judgement given by the SC, a five-judge bench led by then Chief Justice of India(CJI) Ranjan Gogoi ruled in favor of Ram Lalla and stated that the entire land under dispute would be handed over to a trust formed by the government to allocate additional 5 acres of land at a different location to Sunni Waqf Board for the construction of mosque.
Ayodhya Ram Mandir Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra was the name of the trust set up for the construction and management of Ayodhya Ram Mandir by the Government of India in February 2020. As per the judgement, the trust was given the responsibility of monitoring the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir at the site.
Prime Minister Of India, Shri Narendra Modi ji laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir on August 5, 2020.
Ayodhya Ram Mandir 2024 Consecration Ceremony (Pran Pratishtha)
In January 2022, a consecration ceremony(Pran Pratistha) of Ram Lalla is set to take place in Ayodhya. The Pran Pratistha, or consecration refers to the ritual by which the presiding idol of the temple, in this case, Ram is installed and “brought to life.”
FAQ: Ayodhya Ram Mandir – A 500-Year Journey of Faith and Controversy
1. What is the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, and why is it significant?
The Ayodhya Ram Mandir is a Hindu temple being constructed at Ayodhya, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama as per the epic Ramayana. It holds immense religious and cultural significance for Hindus worldwide.
2. Where is Ayodhya located?
Ayodhya is a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, situated near the banks of the Saryu River.
3. What is the history of the Babri Masjid at the site?
The Babri Masjid was built in 1528 by Mughal Emperor Babar. It was alleged to have been constructed on the site of a demolished Hindu temple marking Lord Rama’s birthplace, sparking disputes over the centuries.
4. When did the Ayodhya Ram Mandir controversy begin?
The controversy dates back to 1853 when religious violence erupted over the site. By 1855, the British divided the site into separate sections for Hindu and Muslim worship.
5. What was the significance of the events of 1949?
In 1949, an idol of Lord Rama was found inside the Babri Masjid, leading to legal battles. Hindus claimed the site as Ram Janmabhoomi, while the Sunni Central Waqf Board declared the mosque its property.
6. What was the role of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) in the Ayodhya movement?
The VHP played a central role in advocating for the temple’s construction. They organized campaigns, including the Rath Yatra led by L.K. Advani, to mobilize support for reclaiming the site.
7. What happened in 1992?
In December 1992, the Babri Masjid was demolished by kar sevaks, leading to communal riots across India. This event marked a major turning point in the temple movement.
8. What did the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) find at the site?
In 2003, the ASI conducted excavations and reported evidence of a significant Hindu temple beneath the Babri Masjid structure.
9. What was the Allahabad High Court’s verdict in 2010?
The High Court divided the disputed land into three parts:
- One-third to Ram Lalla (represented by the Hindu Mahasabha).
- One-third to the Sunni Waqf Board.
- One-third to the Nirmohi Akhara.
10. What was the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in 2019?
The Supreme Court awarded the entire disputed land to Hindus for temple construction. Additionally, 5 acres of land were allocated to the Sunni Waqf Board for a mosque at an alternate location.
11. What is the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust?
It is a government-established trust responsible for the construction and management of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, created in February 2020 as per the Supreme Court’s judgment.
12. When was the foundation stone for the temple laid?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir on August 5, 2020.
13. What is the significance of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in 2024?
The Pran Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony in January 2024 will mark the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla, symbolizing the completion of the temple and its spiritual inauguration.
14. What does the Ayodhya Ram Mandir represent today?
The Ayodhya Ram Mandir stands as a symbol of faith for Hindus and a culmination of centuries-long legal, historical, and cultural struggles. It aims to inspire unity and devotion among its followers.
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