The culmination of a 500-year-old yajna : Prime Minister Modi

Flag hoisted atop the Shriram Temple in Ayodhya !

Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) – Today, the sacred city of Ayodhya has witnessed a defining moment in India’s cultural history. The entire nation, and indeed the world, is immersed in devotion to Shriram. There is unparalleled fulfilment, boundless gratitude and an indescribable divine joy in the air. Wounds carried for centuries are finally healing. Agonies endured for generations are now at rest. A resolve cherished for hundreds of years is reaching fruition today. A yajna that began 500 years ago finds its completion today. An infinite spiritual energy now radiates from the sanctum of Bhagwan Shriram, and the divine, majestic temple has welcomed the installation of the Ram Darbar Idol, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was speaking at the ceremony of hoisting the sacred dharma flag atop the Shriram Temple.

Seated on the dais were Nirtyagopaldas Maharaj, President of the Shriram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Treasurer Swami Govinddev Giri, Governor Anandiben Patel, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Param Pujya Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohanji Bhagwat.

Key points by Prime Minister Modi

1. We must lay a strong foundation for India for the next millennium !

When the Idol of Shriramlalla was installed in the temple, I spoke on the theme ‘From Shriram Temple to Ramrajya’. We now have to build a firm foundation for the next one thousand years. Along with the present, we must think of future generations. India existed before us and will continue long after us. We are a living civilisation; hence, our actions must reflect far-sightedness. We must learn from Prabhu Shriram and imbibe His conduct.

The dharma flag will carry the teachings of Prabhu Shriram to humanity for ages !
This dharma flag is not merely a flag; it is a symbol of the renaissance of Indian civilisation. It represents the fulfilment of dreams cherished for generations. For centuries to come, this flag will proclaim the ideals of Prabhu Shriram. It will echo ‘Satyameva Jayate’. It will inspire the resolve of ‘Pran jaaye par vachan na jaaye’. It will teach the primacy of faith, action and duty. It will guide society towards harmony and liberation from discrimination. It will inspire us to build a society free from poverty and helplessness. This dharma flag will carry Shriram’s teachings to humanity for eternity, expressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He bowed to all devotees, artisans, planners and architects who contributed to the construction of the Shriram Temple

When we disconnect from our traditions, our glory gets buried in history !

Calling for the preservation of Sanatan Dharma traditions, Prime Minister Modi said that when we become detached from our roots and heritage, our glory gets lost in the pages of history. In the Ramayana era, when Bharat reached Chitrakoot with his army, Lakshman recognised the Ayodhya army from afar. Valmiki has described this. The flag of that army bore the symbol of the golden kansha tree. Today, that same auspicious symbol has been restored atop the Shriram Temple. This is not merely the return of a symbol; it is the revival of our traditions. A nation can progress only when it embraces pride in its heritage and frees itself from the shackles of a colonial mindset.

The Macaulay-influenced education system will be dismantled !

In 1835, an Englishman named Macaulay laid the foundation to uproot India from its traditions. In 2035, 200 years of that unfortunate event will be completed. Sadly, Macaulay’s design achieved significant success. A mindset took root that said, ‘Our own is inferior; everything foreign is superior’. At an event last week, I said that India will free itself from this slavish mentality within the next ten years. In the coming decade, we must dismantle the Macaulay-influenced education system that pushed us into mental subjugation. If we shed this colonial mindset by 2035, then by 2047 we will build a developed India. Only when Macaulay’s framework is fully undone will the dream of a developed India be realised, asserted Prime Minister Modi.

India is the mother of democracy !

We were told that democracy was borrowed from the West. In reality, India is the mother of democracy. Democracy is in our DNA. Tamil Nadu has a thousand-year-old inscription describing how the people elected their government. The experience hall of Bhagwan Basavanna recorded that decisions were taken through public consensus. This knowledge was suppressed. We must return to our roots, to our ancient traditions.

India will define its strength in its own way!

Traces of a colonial mindset remain in every corner of our systems. We removed the symbol of slavery from the naval ensign. This was not merely a design change; it was the beginning of a change in mindset. India will now define its strength in its own terms. Colonial thinking suppressed the idea of Ramatva for decades. It even emboldened people to call Prabhu Shriram imaginary. This must now change. Shake off the colonial mindset instilled by the Macaulay system, urged Prime Minister Modi.

The saffron flag is the symbol of Dharma! – Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

The ceremony of hoisting the dharma flag atop the Shriram Temple marks the culmination of a grand yajna. The auspicious occasion of Vivah Panchami has sanctified this event. The devotion of countless generations has manifested in the form of this magnificent temple. The saffron flag atop the Shriram Temple stands as a symbol of Dharma. It also represents the vision of a developed India. A resolution has no alternative. Over the last eleven years, the world has witnessed a transforming India, where development and heritage walk together, said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

He added that over the past 500 years, kingdoms changed and generations passed, yet devotion remained unwavering. When the responsibility came to organisations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the call, ‘Ram Lalla hum aayenge, laathi goli khayenge, mandir wahin banayenge’ echoed across the nation. Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the world today experiences the divine re-establishment of Ramrajya. Humanity is entering a new age of devotion. For every follower of Dharma, this is a day of profound pride. The paths of Dharma, Ram and Bhakti, and the 84-kos parikrama now honour the devotion of millions. The Maharshi Valmiki Airport provides international facilities for devotees. Ayodhya is emerging as a Smart City.