Ayodhya Ram Mandir: After 500 Years the Dream Comes True

 Ayodhya Ram Mandir: After 500 Years the Dream Comes True

 

As the Prime Minister of India Modi laid the foundational stone for the reconstruction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, much misinformation is spread about it. However, examining the issue in historical context will clear much of the misunderstandings. Numerous sacred sites are revered around the world for millennia by people of indigenous faiths. The last millennium had been an era of forceful occupation and destruction of many monuments of indigenous faiths and monuments in India. However, the 21^st century is bringing new awareness and relevance about restoring and continuing the sacred sites of indigenous faiths. Ayodhya is one such sacred place recognized and revered as the birthplace of Rama for millennia. This new temple being rebuilt in the place of the destroyed original temple represents the historical memory dating back to millennia.

The birthplace of Rama, Ayodhya, is the epicenter of Ramayanam (Journey of Rama), A tale of love and sacrifice, which still resonates with more than a billion Hindus in India as well as across the world. Located on the banks of Sarayu river Ayodhya remained the civilizational center of India for thousands of years. Rebuilding the Ram temple in his birthplace begins a revival of this sacred center after a gap of about five centuries. Rebuilding Ram the Mandir is evidence that truth triumphs. There were many efforts to dismiss the existence of a temple at the site by vested groups when that was not possible due to the availability of massive archaeological evidence, these groups began offering alternatives such as building schools, colleges, or hospitals. Humongous efforts were launched by numerous media houses and vested groups to keep the place that is deeply revered by Hindus as the birthplace of Rama away from his devotees. The case dragged on in the courts of law for almost 50 years before finally drawing to a peaceful conclusion.

Rama’s story (Rama Katha) is embedded in the collective memory of India ever since the composition of Valmiki was sung by Lav and Kush, the twin sons of Rama. It is impossible for anyone growing up in India to say precisely when they first heard the name of Rama or Ramayana, for it is so deeply embedded within the invisible fabric of India that ties the populace of this vast land of India together. Spirituality is neither defined nor even forms part of popular conversation, but it is felt at every level each time the name of Rama is uttered or Ramlila is played. Ramnavami, the annual celebration of the birth of Rama marks a sense of this bond shared by all Indians. That deeper internal bond that one cannot name is Rama. The story of Rama has also traveled beyond the borders of India with strong storytelling traditions noticed in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Indonesia. Therefore, the foundation of Rama temple marks the revival of the community not merely in India, but across South and Southeast Asia. Every brick that is worshipped, wrapped and carried to Ram Janmabhumi in Ayodhya decades ago represents the hopes and aspirations of Hindus across the world. The wait had been too long.

Rama’s journey is the story of love and sacrifice. Rama lived the true spirit of ‘nishkamakarma'. Rama only considered wishes and happiness of all others, but never considered his own desires under any circumstance. Treated poorly for no fault of his own, Rama accepted every impossible challenge strewn on his path and emerged triumphant. At the tender age of sixteen, he was requested to guard the yagna of Vishwamitra from the destructive demons. Upon successfully guarding the Yagna, Vishwamitra comes to hear about the Swayamvara of Sita at Mithila. Here again, Rama triumphed by raising Siva’s bow, an impossible task, although the bow broke before he could string it.

Selected to rule the empire Rama prepared for the coronation by keeping the ceremonial fast. However, on the day of the coronation, he was asked to leave as the coronation is canceled on the wishes of Kaikeyi, his step-mother. Leaving the empire to Bharata, his step-brother (son of Kaikeyi) for the term of his exile of fourteen years, Rama traverses throughout India reaching Sri Lanka. However, throughout all his travels across India Rama never left Ayodhya in spirit as his brother Bharata ensured Rama’s rule in Ayodhya through placing the footwear (paduka) of Rama on the throne. From Mithila in the Himalayas to Ramsethu which links India to Sri Lanka Rama connected the Subcontinent through his footsteps. Now that the foundation stone laying ceremony is taking place in Ayodhya on August 5, 2020, this thread of harmony Rama created reverberates with resounding energy. The pulse of India quickens with this modern triumph of Rama.

The final year of exile was the toughest of Rama’s travels. Surpanakha arrives at their asram ultimately leading to the kidnapping of Sita. In search of his wife, Sita, Rama met new associates, the best of whom is Hanuman. Upon discovering the location of Sita through the assistance of Hanuman, Rama accomplished the impossible task of building a bridge, now called Ramasethu, to cross the Indian ocean reaching Sri Lanka. Rama emerged victorious with his monkey army over the well-prepared demon army of Ravana. Rama’s return to Ayodhya with Sita and Lakshmana and his just rule is legendary.

The second part Rama’s story is recollected in Uttara Ramacharita. Heeding the suspicion expressed by a citizen washer-man Rama sent his wife to Valmiki’s asram, an unfortunate event, considering the fact that Sita was pregnant at that time. However, as far as Rama, who took the vow of ekapatnivrata (monogamy) his joy left him as Sita left him. However, he never let that waver him from his duty of taking care of his subjects; Rama brought joy to everyone except for himself and his wife.

Rama’s journey is unique demonstration of victory against all historical odds. Ram Janmabhumi temple is reminiscent of Ram’s life full of triumphs and tribulations. Another aspect of Rama’s triumph is seen in the way the construction of the temple is manifested on August 5, 2020, after overcoming numerous legal and political hurdles. Reconstruction of the temple is a welcome move for India, a long-suffering civilization, which is yoked to caring for its long civilizational past as much as forging the path ahead.