Explain Ayodhya Ram Mandir in 500 words
The Ayodhya Ram Mandir, also known as the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, is a Hindu temple located in the city of Ayodhya in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It holds great significance in Hindu mythology and has been a subject of controversy and dispute for several decades.
According to Hindu belief, Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Rama, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. The Ramayana, an ancient Hindu epic, narrates the story of Lord Rama's birth and his journey to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana. It is believed that the exact spot of Lord Rama's birth is where the temple stands today.
The dispute surrounding the Ayodhya Ram Mandir dates back to the 16th century when the Mughal emperor Babur built a mosque, known as Babri Masjid, at the site. The mosque stood there for several centuries until 1949 when idols of Lord Rama mysteriously appeared inside the mosque. This led to a legal battle between Hindu and Muslim communities over the ownership of the site.
The dispute gained national attention in the 1980s when the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), a Hindu nationalist organization, launched a movement demanding the construction of a Ram temple at the site. The movement gained momentum, leading to widespread communal tensions and riots across the country. In 1992, a large mob of Hindu activists demolished the Babri Masjid, leading to further violence and communal clashes.
The demolition of the Babri Masjid sparked a legal battle that lasted for decades. The case was heard by the Allahabad High Court, which in 2010 ruled that the disputed land should be divided into three parts, with one-third going to the Sunni Waqf Board, one-third to the Nirmohi Akhara, and the remaining one-third to the Hindu plaintiffs. Both Hindu and Muslim groups appealed against the decision, and the case eventually reached the Supreme Court of India.
In November 2019, the Supreme Court delivered its verdict, stating that the entire disputed land should be handed over to a trust to be set up by the government for the construction of a Ram temple. The court also directed the government to provide an alternative five-acre plot of land to the Sunni Waqf Board for the construction of a mosque.
Following the court's verdict, the government formed the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to oversee the construction of the temple. The trust launched a nationwide campaign to collect funds for the project, and the temple's groundbreaking ceremony took place on August 5, 2020, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance.
The proposed temple will be built in the Nagara style of architecture, which is characteristic of North India. It will be constructed using stone, with intricate carvings depicting scenes from the Ramayana. The temple complex will also include various other structures, such as a library, museum, and meditation hall.
The construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir is seen by many as a symbol of Hindu pride and a fulfillment of a long-standing demand. However, it has also been a source of controversy and has raised concerns about communal harmony in the country. Efforts are being made to ensure that the construction of the temple is carried out peacefully and in a manner that respects the sentiments of all communities involved.