AYODHYA, Nov 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi ceremonially hoisted a 22-foot
long and 11-foot wide sacred saffron flag (Dharma Dhwaj) atop the Ram Mandir
in Ayodhya on Tuesday, marking the completion of the construction of the temple
at Lord Ram's janmabhoomi (birth place).
The Dhwajarohan (flag-hoisting) ceremony took place during the auspicious "Abhijit
Muhurat" (an ideal planetary constellation for pious events) around noon on
Tuesday, which also coincided with Vivah Panchami (the marriage anniversary
of Lord Ram and Sita).
The flag was raised on a 42-foot flagpole installed on the temple's 161-foot-high
shikhara (spire).
Modi was joined by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar
Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The event
was witnessed by thousands of invitees, including seers.
The saffron-coloured flag was crafted from aviation-grade parachute nylon and
silk threads by a specialist firm in Ahmedabad, designed to withstand extreme
weather conditions, including winds up to 60 km/hr.
It bears three key symbols embroidered in gold thread: A radiant Sun representing
Lord Ram's Suryavansh lineage and eternal energy; The sacred 'Om' symbolising
spiritual vibration; and, The Kovidar tree denoting purity, prosperity and the
ideal of "Ram Rajya".
The ceremony officially declared the temple structure complete and ready for
all rituals and for a greater influx of devotees.
The 'Dharma Dhwaj' (flag of virtue) represents the triumphant victory of dharma
(righteousness) over adharma (unrighteousness) and proclaims the site's spiritual
activation.
In his address, Modi described the moment as the "healing" of centuries-old
wounds, fulfilling a 500-year-old resolve for millions of devotees.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called the event the "beginning
of a new era", where heritage and development coexist. The flag is intended
to be a permanent feature atop the temple, symbolising India's cultural resurgence
