Ayodhya Ram Temple flag hoisted in historic milestone
Ayodhya Ram Temple flag hoisted in historic milestone
Saffron flag rises atop Ayodhya Ram Temple as leaders mark decades of sacrifice and a new chapter in India's heritage.
Ayodhya witnessed a historic milestone as the saffron flag was hoisted atop the Ram Temple, symbolizing the formal completion of years of construction. The moment was celebrated by leaders and followers as a reaffirmation of the resolve that carried the movement forward for decades. Mohan Bhagwat, head of the RSS, spoke of those who sacrificed their lives for the temple and said they must now be at peace as the flag rises on the temple’s spire. He described the flag as a symbol of dharma and recalled the long road that finally culminated in this moment. “This flag is a symbol of dharma. Just as it took time to hoist it so high, it took decades to build this temple.” he said, naming late leaders and countless saints, householders, and students who stood with the vision.
The ceremony saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi ceremonially hoisting the flag in Ayodhya, in the presence of Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh governor Anandiben Patel and chief minister Yogi Adityanath. Bhagwat highlighted that today marks the completion of a “classical process of temple construction” and described the moment as historic and deeply fulfilling, a moment that reaffirms a legacy passed down by ancestors. He paid tribute to figures such as Ashok Singhal and Vishnu Hari Dalmia, along with Mahant Ramchandra Das Paramhans, for their roles in the Ram Mandir movement, while acknowledging those who worked behind the scenes.
Modi’s participation underscored the ceremony’s significance as part of a broader narrative about India’s civilizational heritage. The flag rose on a nylon rope toward the temple’s spire, signaling not just architectural completion but a symbolic culmination of years of advocacy, planning, and public devotion. The event was presented as a moment of national pride and a reaffirmation of the resolve that many believed would endure beyond the immediate political climate.
As Ayodhya marks this moment in its long cultural and political history, observers say the implications extend into how communities view heritage, faith, and national identity. The day was celebrated by supporters who described it as a fulfillment of a long-cherished dream, while critics cautioned that such milestones must be navigated with care for India’s pluralistic ethos.
Cover image source: Centuries of wounds are healing: PM Modi hoists saffron flag atop Ayodhya temple 🔗
