Big Screens, 50 VIPs: Grand Preps For Ayodhya Temple Groundbreaking Event
Ayodhya priests said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may lay the foundation stone for the construction of the Ram temple on August 5, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray may also attend the ceremony.
Invitations have also been sent to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Nitish Kumar is one of the other Chief ministers on this list. In total, an invitation is expected to be sent to about 300 people.
The priests of Ayodhya have prepared a detailed plan for the ceremony with three-day Vedic rituals at the Ram Janmabhoomi site starting on 3 August. Then Ramacharya ‘Puja’ on 4 August and ‘Bhoomi Pujan’ on 5 August. Which will be around 12:15 pm.
This will be Modi’s first visit to Ayodhya and Ram Temple area. The Prime Minister announced the formation of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirthkshetra Trust on 5 February.
Five silver bricks will also be placed inside the sanctum sanctorum during the ‘Bhoomi Pujan’ ceremony. The first will be cast by Modi. The five bricks are considered as the symbol of the five planets according to Hindu mythology. The design and architecture of the temple is the same as proposed by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP): the design will follow the Naga style of the Vishnu temple, while the ‘garbha griha” will be octagonal.
However, the length, width and height have been enhanced compared to the previous model. In addition, there will be five domes instead of the three already envisioned. The total area of the temple will be between 76,000 and 84,000 square feet. Previously, it was estimated to be around 38,000 square feet.
In view of Shiv Sena’s three-decade-long association with the Ram Temple movement, it was decided to invite Maharashtra’s Cheif minister Uddhav Thackeray. Notably, Uddhav’s father, Balasaheb Thackeray, was named in the demolition case, but his name was dropped after his death.
In March this year, Thackeray visited Ayodhya and announced Rs 1 crore for the construction of the Ram temple, while stressing that his party, Shiv Sena, is committed to Hindutva despite having a serious relationship with the BJP.