PM Performs Aarti at Ram Mandir; Flag Hoisting Ceremony to Begin Shortly

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat offered prayers at the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi Temple ahead of the ‘dhwajarohan’ ceremony, during which a 10-ft-tall, 22-ft-long saffron flag will be hoisted atop the 191-ft ‘shikhar’. The flag features a shining Sun, an Om symbol, and the Kovidara tree. The ceremony—described by many as a symbolic “second pran pratishtha”—will be followed by an address from the Prime Minister.

Key Points

• Ahead of the ceremony, PM Modi held a roadshow in Ayodhya and offered prayers at Saptmandir and Sheshavtar Mandir.

• The flag will be placed on a shikhar built in the traditional North Indian Nagara architectural style, while the 800-metre Parkota around the temple reflects South Indian design elements.

• The temple trust has invited 6,000–7,000 guests from across Uttar Pradesh for the event.

• Rituals will be performed by 108 Acharyas from Ayodhya, Kashi and South India under the supervision of Kashi scholar Ganeshwar Shastri.

• Hoisting the triangular flag marks the formal completion of the Ram Mandir, following the consecration of Ram Lalla in the garbhagriha in January 2024.

• Security has been tightened across Ayodhya, with 6,970 personnel deployed, including ATS commandos, NSG snipers, cyber units and technical teams.

• A large number of devotees reached the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple on Monday for darshan ahead of the ceremony.