Ram Mandir Inauguration: A 500 Year Timeline

Manu Joseph

Jan 22 2024

<div style=' background:#FFFFFF;color:#000000;font-family:Verdana;width:auto;padding:5px;max-height:100%;'><span><p>In the heart of Ayodhya, a city steeped in history as the birthplace of Lord Ram, a 500-year-old saga is poised to reach a crescendo with the upcoming 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. This significant event will mark the consecration of the grand Ram Temple, presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by esteemed figures like Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, and temple trust chief Mahant Nritya Gopal Das.&nbsp;</p><p><br><p>This historic event is more than a ceremony; it represents a centuries-old narrative. As over 7,000 dignitaries gather to witness this monumental occasion, it's an opportune moment to explore the profound history that led to the construction of the Ram Temple—a symbol of faith, resilience, and devotion spanning half a millennium.&nbsp;</p><p>Timeline leading to the consecration ceremony:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>1528: Demolition of Temple for Mosque&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>In 1528, Ayodhya witnessed a transformative event where a temple made way for the construction of a mosque, orchestrated by Mughal ruler Babur's general Mir Baq. This event marked a significant chapter in the city's history, particularly at the site believed to be Lord Rama's birthplace in Ayodhya's Ramkot.&nbsp;<br></p><p>1853: Beginning of Dispute and First Petitions&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>Religious tensions over the Babri Masjid site emerged in 1853, leading the British administration to install a partitioning fence in 1859. The first plea in the land dispute case was filed in 1885 by Mahant Raghubir Das, seeking to construct a canopy on the Ramchabutra outside the mosque, but it was denied.&nbsp;<br></p></p><span></div><div style=' background:#FFFFFF;color:#000000;font-family:Verdana;width:auto;padding:5px;max-height:100%;'><span><p>1949: Pivotal Moments in the Temple's Movement&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>In 1949, an idol of Lord Ram was placed inside the Babri Masjid, setting the stage for legal and communal tensions. Petitions were filed by both Hindu and Muslim groups, escalating the situation. The government intervened by locking the premises but permitted daily puja by priests.&nbsp;</p><p>1980s: Ram Mandir Construction Campaign Takes Center Stage&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<br></p><p>The 1980s saw the launch of a campaign by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad Party (VHP) to reclaim and construct a temple at Lord Ram's birthplace. In 1986, the Ayodhya court ordered the opening of the mosque gates for Hindus, sparking unrest and the formation of the 'Babri Mosque Action Committee' by the Muslim community.&nbsp;</p><p>1989: Foundation of Ram Temple by VHP&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>The VHP ceremoniously laid the foundation for the Ram Temple in 1989 on land adjacent to the Babri Masjid. The Rajiv Gandhi-led government ordered the unlocking of the Babri Masjid gates, marking a crucial turning point in the ongoing debate.&nbsp;</p><p>1990: Lal Krishna Advani's Rath Yatra&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>A pivotal moment occurred in 1990 with Lal Krishna Advani's Rath Yatra, expressing support for the Ram Temple agitation. Thousands participated in this mass mobilization, contributing to the movement's momentum.&nbsp;<br></p><span></div><div style=' background:#FFFFFF;color:#000000;font-family:Verdana;width:auto;padding:5px;max-height:100%;'><span><p>1992: Babri Masjid Demolition&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>The year 1992 witnessed a seismic event with the demolition of the Babri Masjid by kar sevaks, leading to political tensions and communal riots.&nbsp;<br></p><p>2003: ASI Conducts Survey of the Disputed Site&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<br></p><p>In 2003, the Allahabad High Court directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to excavate the disputed site, revealing evidence of a substantial Hindu complex beneath the mosque.&nbsp;<br></p><p>2010: Disputed Site Divided into Three Parts&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>The Allahabad High Court's landmark judgment in 2010 divided the contested land into three parts, allocated to Ram Lalla, the Islamic Waqf Board, and the Nirmohi Akhara.&nbsp;<br></p><p>2011: Legal Battle Reaches Supreme Court&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>In 2011, all three parties approached the Supreme Court, challenging the High Court verdict, leading to a stay on the order.&nbsp;<br></p><p>2019: Supreme Court Renders Historic Verdict&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<br></p><p>The Supreme Court's historic 2019 judgment ruled in favor of Ram Lalla, handing over the entire disputed land to a government-established trust for the construction of the Ram Temple.</p><p>2020: PM Modi Lays Foundation Stone of Temple&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>On August 5, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Ram Temple, commencing the much-anticipated construction project.&nbsp;</p><p>2024: Consecration Ceremony Marks a Sacred Occasion&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<br></p><p>The consecration ceremony (Pran Pratishtha) of Ram Lalla further solidifies the spiritual and cultural significance of the Ram Temple, bringing together dignitaries, devotees, and participants from various walks of life.&nbsp;<br></p><p>Ayodhya, with its deep spiritual, historical, and cultural significance as the birthplace of Lord Rama, is poised to witness a momentous chapter in its history. The consecration ceremony is a culmination of a narrative that spans centuries, marking a sacred occasion that resonates with millions across the nation.&nbsp;</p><span></div>

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