Associated Press
A temple to a top Hindu deity was built over a destroyed mosque in India. Here is why it matters
BISWAJEET BANERJEE and VINEETA DEEPAK
Updated Mon, January 22, 2024
FILE - Workers put up cutouts of Hindu deity Lord Ram and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mark the opening of a grand temple for Lord Ram in Ayodhya, India, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. Coming ahead of the upcoming national elections, the ceremony has welded into a potent mix of religion and statecraft that analysts say will secure an enduring, though contentious legacy for Modi who is seeking a third-consecutive term. (AP Photo/Deepak Sharma, File)
FILE - Workers put up cutouts of Hindu deity Lord Ram and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mark the opening of a grand temple for Lord Ram in Ayodhya, India, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. Coming ahead of the upcoming national elections, the ceremony has welded into a potent mix of religion and statecraft that analysts say will secure an enduring, though contentious legacy for Modi who is seeking a third-consecutive term. (AP Photo/Deepak Sharma, File)
FILE - Security officers guard the Babri Mosque in Ayodhya, closing off the disputed site claimed by Muslims and Hindus, Oct. 29, 1990. Hindus believe that Hindu deity Ram was born at the exact same site in Ayodhya where the 16th-century Babri mosque once stood. The mosque was destroyed by a Hindu mob in December 1992. (AP Photo/Barbara Walton, File)
FILE - An Indian family watches epic television series "Ramayan" at their home after country's public broadcaster revived the wildly popular series from the 80s for a captive audience staying home due to the coronavirus pandemic in Jammu, India, May 18, 2020. The mythological Hindu epic “Ramayan” tells the story of Ram’s journey from a prince to a king, with numerous retellings and adaptations in popular culture. The Indian TV series “Ramayan” created in the late 80’s is one of the world’s most viewed mythological shows and continues to have a faithful audience. (AP Photo/Channi Anand, File)
FILE - Standing before a poster of the Hindu deity Ram, a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) member shouts slogans during a rally to protest against the raid on a Hindu temple in northern India, in Gauhati, India, July 7, 2005. While the slogan "Jai Sri Ram," or "Hail Lord Ram," has become a political battle cry for Hindu nationalists, "Ram-Ram" remains a popular way of greeting across rural India. (AP Photo/Gautam Singh, File)
FILE - The newly built Maharishi Valmiki International Airport is decorated the day before it is scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ayodhya, India, Dec. 29, 2023. The city, once known for its narrow lanes crowded with Hindu monks and pilgrims thronging street shops selling miniature idols of Ram, has been given a complete facelift with modern infrastructure and state-of the art services for visitors. Ayodhya’s modest airstrip has grown into an expansive international airport with a 2200-meter runway in the first phase. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh, File)
FILE- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs rituals during the groundbreaking ceremony of a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Ram, in Ayodhya, India, Aug. 5, 2020. Modi has been the face of an unprecedented, and unapologetic, fusion of religion and politics in India, with his Hindu nationalist party promising to build a Ram temple as part of its election strategy. Modi, who led the temple’s groundbreaking ceremony in 2020, has asked people to celebrate the consecration by lighting lamps at homes and temples. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh, File)
FILE - A construction crew works on Ram Mandir, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ram in Ayodhya, India, on Jan. 16, 2024. Spread over an area of nearly 3 hectares, the Ram temple will be a three-story structure made in pink sandstone with intricate wall carvings and 46 doors — 42 of which will have a layer of gold totaling around 100 kilograms (220 pounds). The temple is being built at an estimated cost of $217 million, though it is far from complete. (AP Photo/Deepak Sharma, File)
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India Hindu Temple Explainer
Ayodhya’s airport can barely accommodate the influx of private jets. “The planes will depart after dropping guests,” airport manager Saurabh Singh said.
The temple was built over a razed mosque, and most political opposition leaders are boycotting the temple's opening, saying it doesn't befit a secular India.
However, the attendees are some of India's most influential people: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, and Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan.
Ahead of the upcoming general election, Modi’s Hindu nationalist party is using the elaborate consecration ceremony to lobby the country's Hindu majority.
THE LEGEND OF RAM, THE PRINCE OF AYODHYA
The temple will be the sacred abode of one of the Hindu pantheon's most popular gods, Ram, who Hindus believe was born at the exact site in Ayodhya.
Millions of Hindus worship Lord Ram with an intense belief that chanting his name in times of adversity will bring peace and prosperity, and most of those who practice Hinduism keep idols of Ram in their homes. Major Hindu festivals like Dussehra and Diwali are associated with mythological tales of Ram extolling the virtues of truth, sacrifice and ethical governance.
The mythological Hindu epic “Ramayan," which tells the story of Ram’s journey from prince to king, has often been adapted in popular culture. One of the most-viewed fabled shows is the TV series “Ramayan” created in the 1980s, which continues to have a faithful audience.
Ram’s divinity is not only a dominant religious force in India but also part of the cultural heritage in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar and Malaysia.
A TEMPLE RISES
Spread over nearly 3 hectares (7.4 acres), the temple — which is still being built — has an estimated cost of $217 million. It's made with pink sandstone, adorned with intricate carvings, and has 46 doors — 42 of which will have a layer of gold.
Anil Mishra, a member of the trust overseeing the construction, said the temple blends traditional design with cutting-edge technology and is “crafted without the use of iron, steel, or cement."
A 1.3-meter (4.25-foot) dark stone sculpture depicting Ram was installed in the temple’s inner sanctum for Monday’s consecration. The religious ritual of “Pran Pratishtha," which signifies giving life to the idol, will be conducted according to Hindu Vedic scriptures. The deity can then receive and bless devotees.
After the ceremony, the temple will open to the public and an estimated 100,000 devotees are likely to visit daily, authorities say.
AYODHYA, PAST AND PRESENT
The city known for its narrow lanes crowded with Hindu pilgrims and shops selling miniature Ram idols, has been given a facelift with modern infrastructure and services. Ayodhya’s modest airstrip has grown into an expansive international airport with a 2.2-kilometer (about 1.4-mile) runway in the first phase. The clean railway station has a daily passenger capacity of about 50,000 people.
“The historical and spiritual significance of Ayodhya makes it a compelling destination,” and a huge surge in demand is anticipated, said Ravi Singh, a representative of the Indian Hotels Company Limited.
THE CONTROVERSY
Ayodhya has been at the center of India’s turbulent politics and the Hindu majoritarian quest to redeem the country’s religious past for decades. Its diverse, multicultural past was overrun by strident Hindu nationalism after mobs demolished the 16th-century Babri mosque in 1992.
Hindus won a prolonged legal battle in 2019, allowing them to build the temple. Hindus make up about 80% of India’s population but the country is also home to some 200 million Muslims who have frequently come under attack by Hindu nationalists.
Modi has been the face of an unprecedented — and unapologetic — fusion of religion and politics in India and led the temple’s groundbreaking ceremony in 2020.
Critics say the idea of a diverse, constitutionally secular state leading a Hindu religious ritual is deplorable. Most opposition leaders have declined the invitation, saying the event is being used for political campaigning by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, which promised to build a Ram temple as part of its election strategy.
Modi has asked people to publicly celebrate the consecration by lighting lamps at homes and temples. The message is clear: Mobilization of Hindu voters will be a key issue in the upcoming national election as Modi looks to extend his rule for a record third-consecutive term.
Deepak reported from New Delhi.
The temple was built over a razed mosque, and most political opposition leaders are boycotting the temple's opening, saying it doesn't befit a secular India.
However, the attendees are some of India's most influential people: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, and Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan.
Ahead of the upcoming general election, Modi’s Hindu nationalist party is using the elaborate consecration ceremony to lobby the country's Hindu majority.
THE LEGEND OF RAM, THE PRINCE OF AYODHYA
The temple will be the sacred abode of one of the Hindu pantheon's most popular gods, Ram, who Hindus believe was born at the exact site in Ayodhya.
Millions of Hindus worship Lord Ram with an intense belief that chanting his name in times of adversity will bring peace and prosperity, and most of those who practice Hinduism keep idols of Ram in their homes. Major Hindu festivals like Dussehra and Diwali are associated with mythological tales of Ram extolling the virtues of truth, sacrifice and ethical governance.
The mythological Hindu epic “Ramayan," which tells the story of Ram’s journey from prince to king, has often been adapted in popular culture. One of the most-viewed fabled shows is the TV series “Ramayan” created in the 1980s, which continues to have a faithful audience.
Ram’s divinity is not only a dominant religious force in India but also part of the cultural heritage in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar and Malaysia.
A TEMPLE RISES
Spread over nearly 3 hectares (7.4 acres), the temple — which is still being built — has an estimated cost of $217 million. It's made with pink sandstone, adorned with intricate carvings, and has 46 doors — 42 of which will have a layer of gold.
Anil Mishra, a member of the trust overseeing the construction, said the temple blends traditional design with cutting-edge technology and is “crafted without the use of iron, steel, or cement."
A 1.3-meter (4.25-foot) dark stone sculpture depicting Ram was installed in the temple’s inner sanctum for Monday’s consecration. The religious ritual of “Pran Pratishtha," which signifies giving life to the idol, will be conducted according to Hindu Vedic scriptures. The deity can then receive and bless devotees.
After the ceremony, the temple will open to the public and an estimated 100,000 devotees are likely to visit daily, authorities say.
AYODHYA, PAST AND PRESENT
The city known for its narrow lanes crowded with Hindu pilgrims and shops selling miniature Ram idols, has been given a facelift with modern infrastructure and services. Ayodhya’s modest airstrip has grown into an expansive international airport with a 2.2-kilometer (about 1.4-mile) runway in the first phase. The clean railway station has a daily passenger capacity of about 50,000 people.
“The historical and spiritual significance of Ayodhya makes it a compelling destination,” and a huge surge in demand is anticipated, said Ravi Singh, a representative of the Indian Hotels Company Limited.
THE CONTROVERSY
Ayodhya has been at the center of India’s turbulent politics and the Hindu majoritarian quest to redeem the country’s religious past for decades. Its diverse, multicultural past was overrun by strident Hindu nationalism after mobs demolished the 16th-century Babri mosque in 1992.
Hindus won a prolonged legal battle in 2019, allowing them to build the temple. Hindus make up about 80% of India’s population but the country is also home to some 200 million Muslims who have frequently come under attack by Hindu nationalists.
Modi has been the face of an unprecedented — and unapologetic — fusion of religion and politics in India and led the temple’s groundbreaking ceremony in 2020.
Critics say the idea of a diverse, constitutionally secular state leading a Hindu religious ritual is deplorable. Most opposition leaders have declined the invitation, saying the event is being used for political campaigning by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, which promised to build a Ram temple as part of its election strategy.
Modi has asked people to publicly celebrate the consecration by lighting lamps at homes and temples. The message is clear: Mobilization of Hindu voters will be a key issue in the upcoming national election as Modi looks to extend his rule for a record third-consecutive term.
Deepak reported from New Delhi.
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