Updated
Daijiworld Media Network - Ayodhya
Ayodhya (UP), Aug 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Ram Temple at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh after performing the 'Bhoomi Poojan' on Wednesday, August 5.
PM Modi, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat took part in 'Bhoomi Poojan' at Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya. As many as 175 guests were present for the much-awaited groundbreaking ceremony.
Earlier, wearing a traditional dhoti-kurta, the prime minister deboarded an Air Force helicopter that flew him to Ayodhya from Lucknow. He was welcomed at the Saket helipad by chief minister Yogi Adityanath, among others. Prior to the function, the prime minister and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath took part in 'pooja' and 'darshan' at Hanuman Garhi temple.
From Hanuman Garhi, he travelled to 'Shree Ram Janmabhoomi' where he offered prayers to 'Bhagwan Shree Ram Lalla Virajman' and performed the groundbreaking ceremony. Later, he will unveil a plaque to mark the laying of the foundation stone and also release a commemorative postage stamp on 'Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir.
Earlier report
PM Modi reaches Ayodhya to lay foundation stone for grand Ram temple
New Delhi, Aug 5 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Ayodhya on Wednesday as the entire nation awaited the Bhoomi Poojan ceremony for the grand Ram Temple.
Dressed in traditional attire (dhoti and kurta) he alighted from his special aircraft a little after 11.30 am
The 'Hindu Hriday Samrat', as he is often referred to as, will personally participate in the 'Bhoomi Poojan' later in the day, in presence of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanatha and a slew of saints from across India.
Modi came back to the holy city after nearly 30 years.
He left from Delhi just around 10 am
Modi is likely to spend around three hours in Ayodhya.
He first reached Hanuman Garhi temple where offered prayers for 10 minutes. A headgear, a silver crown and a stole with the name of Lord Ram printed on it, was presented as earlier stated by Gaddinsheen Premdas Ji Maharaj, head priest of Hanuman Garhi temple. Prime Minister Modi then proceeded to the Ram Janmabhoomi complex where he will offer prayers to Ram Lalla Virajman.
Prior to the ceremony, Prime Minister planted a 'Parijat' sapling at 12.10 pm in the temple complex. Parijat is believed to be a sacred plant and has been mentioned in religious texts and Puranas. After planting the sapling, he then proceeded for the Bhumi Pujan ceremony.
The 'Bhumi Pujan' for the proposed Ram temple in Ayodhya will begin at 12.30 pm on Wednesday with the Prime Minister performing the 'Shila Pujan', 'Bhumi Pujan' and 'Karma Shila Pujan'.
According to an official statement, the main 'puja' will be held between 12.44 pm and 12.45 pm during the 32-second 'Abhijit Muhurat'. It is the same 'muhurat' or the auspicious moment when Lord Ram was believed to have been born.
The Prime Minister will lay a 40-kg silver brick to symbolise the start of the construction of the temple that is at the core of the ruling BJP's ideology and poll promises.
A campaign for the temple marked the rise of the saffron party in the 1990s when Lal Krishna Advani took out a Rath Yatra from Somnath and former VHP leader Ashok Singhal gave a clarion call for 'Kar Seva', something that radically changed the political discourse of the country.