We must lay the foundation for the next 1,000 years : Prime Minister Modi

Ayodhya – “After the sacrifice of millions of people over hundreds of years, our Deity Shriram has finally arrived. The Divine Consciousness can be realised in the atmosphere. There is so much to say, but I cannot hold back my tears. My body is still full of Divine vibrations. My mind is still absorbed in the moments of pranapratishtha ceremony. I believe that what has happened today, must have been experienced by the devotees of Shriram in the country and around the world. Our Shriram Lalla will not live in a tent henceforth”, assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the guests after pranapratishtha ceremony. “Hundreds of years of wait is now over, but what next ? That is the question. Will you ask the Divine souls to return ? We cannot do that. This is the right time. The foundation for the next 1,000 years must be laid today”, he added and appealed to work towards creating a strong, capable, sacred, grand, divine India.

Highlights of PM Modi’s address :

22nd January 2024 is not just another date on the calendar, but the beginning of a new era. This moment of today will be discussed even after 1,000 years from now. Shriram’s grace is upon us and we all are witnessing and experiencing this. Today, all the directions are filled with Divinity.

I must apologise to the Deity Shriram. Indeed, we fell short somewhere that we could not build his temple for hundreds of years. Today, I feel that Deity Shriram will surely forgive us. A legal battle had to be fought for Shriram Temple for many decades. I am thankful to the judiciary for keeping justice alive in this country. We are indebted to numerous kar-sevaks, Shriram devotees, Sages and Saints. It is also a moment of realisation of the maturity of Indian society. This moment is not only one of victory but also one of humility.

Some people used to say ‘If Shriram Temple is built, there will be fire’ (chaos). The construction of the Shriram Temple is a symbol of peace, courage and harmony in Indian society. Shriram Temple is going to create a bright future. Shriram is not fire, he is the energy. Shriram is not a conflict, but a solution. We have to expand our hearts. It will require the dedication of every Indian. That is the extension of the consciousness of the Deity Shriram to that of the country. If someone considers himself to be insignificant, he must remember the squirrel who contributed to the building of Shriram Setu according to its capability. Let us resolve that every moment of our life, every inch of our body should be dedicated to the country and to the Shriram. Our worship should be for the society.

Like PM Modi, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used to do Tapa for the Deity – Pujya Govind Dev Giri Maharaj

Pujya Govind Dev Giri Maharaj said, “With the auspicious hands of the Prime Minister, Shriram Lalla’s pranapratishtha was performed. For this, the Prime Minister fasted not only for 3 days (as recommended) but for 11 days. He had food only once a day. There is no such tapasvi (ascetic) national leader. He performed rituals in places like Nashik, Guruvayur, Rameswaram etc. Tapa (asceticism) is the fundamental of Indian culture. I could remember only one name of a king who performed such Tapa earlier and he was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.” Maharaj became emotional while saying this.