The temple was inaugurated on 22 January 2024 in an elaborate ceremony led by Indian Prime MinisterModi, in which the Hindu priests performed religious rituals consecrating the deity.[7][6][10] On the first day of its opening, the temple received a rush of over half a million visitors.[11] The temple has a high number of daily visitors reportedly between 100,000 and 150,000.[12] Ram Mandir become Uttar Pradesh state's top religious tourism destination drawing over 135.5 million visitors in 2024.[13] The temple construction was completed on 25 November 2025 with an event marked by hoisting of theDharma Dhwaja (sacred flag).[14]
The Ram Mandir is being built to commemorate the birth of Rama: therefore, the presiding deity of the temple is supposed to be the infant form ofRama, anavatar ofVishnu. Rama in that infant form was referred asRam Lalla (lit.'Child Rama') byTulsidas. However, the idol of Rama that was placed in 1949 referred to asRam Lalla Virajman (lit.'Installed Child Rama') by local Hindus.[37]Ram Lalla was alitigant in the court case over the disputed site in 1989, being considered a "juristic person" by the law.[3] He was represented by Triloki Nath Pandey, a senior VHP leader who was consideredRam Lalla's closest 'human' friend.[37] As a new idol of the deity got installed in the sanctum sanctorum as theMūlavirāt mūrti (lit. The main presiding deity),[e] the Mandir Trust has informed that theRam Lalla Virajman idol of 1949 shall henceforth be used asUtsava mūrti (lit. idol for festivals).[40]
In 1528, a commander of theMughal Empire,Mir Baqi, constructed theBabri Masjid mosque, under the order of Babur. The site chosen for the mosque is identified by many Hindus asRam Janmabhoomi, the mythical birthplace of Rama.[42] The earliest record of the mosque may be traced back to 1767, in theLatin bookDescriptio Indiae, authored by theJesuitmissionaryJoseph Tiefenthaler. According to him, the local population believed that the mosque was constructed by destroying the Ramkot temple, believed to be the fortress of Rama in Ayodhya, and the Bedi, where the birthplace of Rama is situated.[43][44]
Modern
Ram Mandir in 2024
Disputed location
The first instance of religious violence was documented in 1853.[45] In December 1858, the British administration prohibited Hindus from conductingpuja (rituals) at the contested site. A platform was created for conducting rituals outside the mosque.[46]
Murtis (transl. sacred idols) ofRama andSita were installed inside the Babri Masjid on the night of 22–23 December 1949, after which devotees began visiting the site.[15][47] By 1950, the state took control of the mosque under Section 145 CrPC and allowed Hindus, not Muslims, to perform their worship at the site.[48]
In the 1980s, theVishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), belonging to theHindu nationalist family,Sangh Parivar, launched a new movement to reclaim the site for Hindus and to erect a temple dedicated to the infant Rama (Ram Lalla) at this spot. The VHP began to collect funds and bricks with "Jai Shri Ram" written on them. Later,the government under Prime MinisterRajiv Gandhi gave the VHP permission forShilanyas (transl. thefoundation stone ceremony) to proceed, with the thenHome Minister,Buta Singh, formally conveying the permission to the VHP leader,Ashok Singhal. Initially, theGovernment of India and theGovernment of Uttar Pradesh had agreed that theshilanyas would be conducted outside of the disputed site. However, on 9 November 1989, a group of VHP leaders and Sadhus laid the foundation stone by digging a 200-litre (7-cubic-foot) pit adjacent to the disputed land. Thesinghdwar (transl. main entrance) of thesanctum sanctorum was constructed there.[49] The VHP then laid the foundations of a temple on the land adjacent to the disputed mosque.
On 6 December 1992, the VHP and theBharatiya Janata Party organised a rally at the site involving 150,000 volunteers, known as karsevaks. The rally turned violent, the crowd overwhelmed the security forces andtore down the mosque.[50][51]
On 5 July 2005, five terrorists attacked the makeshift Ram temple at the site of the destroyed Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. All five were shot dead in the ensuing encounter with theCentral Reserve Police Force (CRPF), while one civilian died in thegrenade attack that the attackers launched to breach the cordoned wall. The CRPF suffered three casualties, two of whom were seriously injured with multiple gunshot wounds.[53][54]
ASI excavations
Reports on twoarchaeological excavations in 1978 and 2003 conducted by the ASI claimed to have found evidence indicating that a temple existed on the site.[55][56] The claims wereheavily disputed by critics as contradictory and unreliable.[57][58][59][60][61] ArchaeologistK. K. Muhammed maintained that remains of a Hindu temple were found in 1978, and accused several historians of averting a settlement for the dispute.[62]
Court rulings
Over the years, various title and legal disputes took place, such as the passage of the Acquisition of Certain Areas at Ayodhya Act in 1993. In 2010, the Allahabad High Court ruled that the 1.12 hectares (2.77 acres) of disputed land be divided into three parts, one going to theRam Lalla or Infant Rama, represented by theHindu Mahasabha for the construction of the Ram temple, one going to the MuslimSunni Waqf Board, and one going to Hindu religious denominationNirmohi Akhara.[8][63] All three parties involved appealed against the division of disputed land to the Supreme Court.[64][65]
The court referenced the 2003 report from the ASI, as evidence suggesting the presence of a structure beneath the demolished Babri Masjid, that was found to be non-Islamic.[68][69] The Supreme Court, in itslandmark judgement concluded that the underlying structure beneath the mosque was not an Islamic structure, and also concluded that no evidence was found that a non-Islamic structure was specifically demolished for the construction of the Babri Masjid.[69][70] Another salient aspect in the apex court's judgement is on the question on the claim of Hindus that disputed structure as the birthplace of Rama. The court observed that the Hindu claim is 'undisputed' and opined that there is clear evidence that Hindus believed that site to be Rama's birthplace.[71][72]
On 5 July 2005, fiveLashkar-e-Taiba's terrorists[73][74] attacked the makeshift Ram temple at the site of destroyedBabri Masjid inAyodhya,India. All five were shot dead in the ensuing gunfight with theCentral Reserve Police Force (CRPF), while onecivilian died in thegrenade attack that the attackers launched in order to breach the cordoned wall. The CRPF suffered three casualties, two of whom were seriously injured with multiple gunshot wounds.
The original design for Ram Mandir was devised in 1988 by the Sompura family ofAhmedabad.[3] The Sompuras have contributed to the design of over 100 temples worldwide for at least 15 generations, including theSomnath temple.[75] The chief architect of the temple was Chandrakant Sompura, assisted by his two sons, Nikhil Sompura and Ashish Sompura, who are also architects.[76]
The temple's main structure has been built on a raised platform with three storeys. It has fivemandapas in the middle of thegarbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) and on the entrance passage. The Shri Ram Darbar, located on the first floor, comprises five halls – Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prarthana Mandap, and Kirtan Mandap. In Nagara style, the mandapas are decorated withshikharas.[80][81] Adorned with deity statues, the temple includes dedicated mandirs forSurya, Bhagwati,Ganesh, andShiv at the corners. Annapurna andHanuman temples are on the northern and southern arms. The foundation features a 14-metre (46 ft)-thick roller-compacted concrete layer resembling artificial rock, with a 21-foot (6.4 m) granite plinth for moisture protection, avoiding iron use. Accessibility is ensured with ramps, lifts, and facilities for the elderly and differently-abled. A pilgrims facility centre for 25,000 people offers medical and locker services. Environmental focus preserves 70% of the 70-acre (28 ha) area as green space, emphasising water conservation.[82][83][84]
The temple has a total of 366 columns. The columns have 16 idols each to include the incarnations ofShiva, the 10Dashavataras, theChausath Yoginis, and the 12 incarnations of the goddessSaraswati. The width of the stairs are 16 feet (4.9 m). Per scriptures dedicated to the design of temples dedicated toVishnu, the sanctum sanctorum is octagonal in shape.[77] According to the temple committee, the site has a capability to handle 70,000 visitors.[85]Larsen & Toubro offered to oversee the design and construction of the temple free of cost, and became the contractor of the project.[86][87] TheCentral Building Research Institute,National Geophysical Research Institute and theBombay,Guwahati andMadrasIITs have assisted in areas such assoil testing, concrete supply and design.[88][89]
The construction work has been accomplished with 600,000 cubic feet (17,000 m3) of sandstone fromBaansi inRajasthan.[77] No iron and steel has been used in the construction of the temple, and the fusing of the stone blocks has required ten thousand copper plates.[90] In a culturally significant move,Thailand also symbolically contributed to the inauguration of the Ram Mandir, by sending soil to theRam Janmabhoomi, building on their prior gesture of sending water from two rivers in Thailand to honour the temple.[91]
According to the temple trust, the final blueprint of Ram Mandir included temples dedicated toSurya,Ganesha,Shiva,Durga,Vishnu andBrahma in the temple grounds.[92]
Fundraising
The Ram Mandir was built with funds gained through international fundraising drives, involving nearly two million volunteers.Ramnath Kovind was the first to contribute, donating₹500,000 on 14 January 2021, during his tenure as thepresident of India.[93][94] Over 127 million donations amounting to approximately₹50 billion were received by the temple.[95][94][96][97] Some media outlets in India claimed that the construction of the Ram mandir was one of the world's biggest crowd funded projects.[98] Fundraising by the Mandir trust has ended on 27 February 2021.[99]
In 2015, theHindu Mahasabha, among the leading organisation involved in the Ram Mandir issue, alleged the BJP-affiliateVishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) of carrying out donation scam of over₹1,400 crore (US$170 million) over the construction of the temple. The VHP denied this allegation.[26]
In 2019, the national spokesperson of theNirmohi Akhara, Mahant Sitaram Das, accused the VHP of carrying out a₹1,400 crore (US$170 million) scam over the temple.[25] Political leaders from opposition parties have also questioned the methods of fund collection.[100][101]
The public were warned of instances in which online scammers posed as fundraisers.[102]
TheShri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust began the first phase of construction of the Ram Mandir in March 2020.[103][104] TheCOVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India caused a temporary suspension of the construction.[105][106] On 25 March 2020, Ram's idol was moved to a temporary location in the presence of theChief Minister of Uttar Pradesh,Yogi Adityanath.[107] In preparation for the temple's construction, theVishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) organised a 'Vijay Mahamantra Jaap Anushthan', in which individuals would gather at different places to chant the 'Vijay Mahamantra' –Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram, on 6 April 2020. This was said to ensure "victory over hurdles" in constructing the temple.[108]
It was officially announced byChampat Rai, the General Secretary of the Sri Ram Janmbhoomi Kshetra Trust, that 22 January 2024 would be the scheduled date for the installation of theRam Lalla idol in thegarbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). On 25 October 2023, a formal invitation was extended toPrime MinisterNarendra Modi to attend the ceremony.[109]
In 2020, the national spokesperson of theNirmohi Akhara, Mahant Sitaram Das, criticised the BJP's decision to have the temple foundation begun by Narendra Modi and said that the work of building the temple should be done only by the religious priests.[28] A number ofHindutva proponents, including online social media influencers, raised objections over the temple's construction with regards to its design and involvement of the Muslims, claiming that they found Islamic motifs in the Ram Mandir.Champat Rai, the general secretary of theShri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust, responded to these concerns by saying that temple was being sculpted by experts, and there could be no question about their religion.[110][verification needed]The vice-president of the Hindu Mahasabha, Pandit Ashok Sharma, said that the BJP "got the entire thing politicised."[27]
A number of opposition parties, as well as BJP members themselves, have criticised the BJP for using the temple to for gain political mileage.[111] The President of theCongress,Mallikarjun Kharge, had questioned the authority ofHome MinisterAmit Shah, after he declared the opening date of the temple.[112] The BJP leaderSubramanian Swamy questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's involvement in Ram Mandir's inauguration.[113] The Congress MPShashi Tharoor has criticised the Indian media for diverting attention from critical governance issues by overly focusing on the temple.[114]
On the occasion of Bhumi Pujan, the Ram Lalla's dress was stitched by tailors Bhagwat Prasad and Shankar Lal, a fourth generation tailor to Rama's idol.[115]
Some priests and religious leaders, such asSwaroopanand Saraswati, complained that 5 August was not a ritually auspicious date and that the ceremony did not follow proper ritual procedures. They also claimed that the function did not include ahavan.[120] Writer and activistArundhati Roy, a noted critic of PM Modi, pointed out that the chosen date marked one year since therevocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.[52] ThePakistan Foreign Office issued a statement criticisingIndia for commencing for constructing a temple on the former site of the destroyed Babri Masjid.[121]
In 2017, theHindu Mahasabha accused the BJP,Bajrang Dal and other Sangh Parivar organisations of hijacking the Ram Mandir despite having no involvement in its long battle.[122][27] In 2020, Pramod Joshi, the national spokesperson of the Hindu Mahasabha, said that the real credit of Ram Mandir belongs to Hindu Mahasabha, and that the Hindu Mahasabha should have performed the bhumi pujan, but instead had been kept away. He added that the committee for the temple was formed at the BJP's central office and the Hindu Mahasabha was sidelined.[123]
2021–present
The temple trust decided to launch a nationwide "mass contact and contribution campaign" aimed at reaching 55–600 million people.[89] Voluntary donations of₹1 (1.2¢ US) and higher were accepted.[124] On 1 January 2021, formerPresidentRam Nath Kovind made the first contribution towards the construction of the Ram Mandir by donating more than₹5 lakh (US$5,900).[125] Several leaders and notable personalities across the nation followed this. By April 2021, around₹5,000 crore (US$590 million) was collected from donations across India.[126][127] Nearly 150,000 VHP activists participated in collecting donations. The temple trust also received donations from the members of the Muslim and Christian communities.[128]
View of the Ram Mandir under construction in 2022
In August 2021, a viewing location was created for the public to observe the construction works in the temple site.[129] Following the groundbreaking ceremony, up to 40 feet (12 m) of debris were removed and the remaining earth compacted.[130] The foundation was made usingroller-compacted concrete.[131] A total of 47–48 layers, with each layer 1-foot (0.30 m) high, were completed by mid-September 2021.[130][132] Due to electricity supply issues inMirzapur, the cutting of the sandstone was slowed down.[92] In early 2022, a video was released by the temple trust, showing the planned construction of the temple in 3D along with other related information.[133][134][5]
In January 2023, two 60-million-year-oldShaligram rocks, 26 tonnes and 14 tonnes respectively, were sent from theGandaki River inNepal. These rocks were used to carve the idol ofRam Lalla in thesanctum sanctorum.[135] In August 2023, according to theShri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, 70% of the groundwork was completed and 40% of the roof work was completed.[136] In December 2023, the entire base, along with the six smaller temples that surround the main temple, which consists of the sanctum sanctorum, were almost completed.[137] For its consecration, only the ground floor was opened.[138] The temple is expected to be completed by July 2025.[139]
Consecration
Devotees and visitors celebrating thePrana Pratishtha ceremony outside the temple on 22 January 2024
On 22 June 2023, Temple Construction Committee chairmanNripendra Misra announced that the ground floor of the three-story temple was complete and was expected to open for the devotees in January 2024.[140] The Ram Mandir Teerth Kshetra Trust announced that Hindu astrologers had selected 22 January 2024 as the auspicious date for the consecration ceremony.[141]
In preparation for thePrana Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony, theGovernment of Uttar Pradesh earmarked₹100 crore (US$12 million) for 'Ramotsav', a series of religious events that spanned 826 local bodies acrossUttar Pradesh along with theRam Paduka Yatra, commencing in December 2023 and culminating in the grand celebrations fromMakar Sankranti on 16 January 2024, and lasting until the inauguration of the Ram Mandir on 22 January. The yatra followed theRam Van Gaman Path, retracing Rama's 14-year exile fromAyodhya.[142] The trust, the Government of Uttar Pradesh, and Ayodhya city administrators carried out extensive preparations to accommodate the influx of devotees and invited guests from all over the world.[143] Strict security measures were enacted in and around the temple premises.[144] The Government of Uttar Pradesh announced public holiday to mark the occasion. TheGovernment of India and some state governments declared a half day holiday.[145]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited to perform thePrana Pratishtha of the newly made idol in the sanctum sanctorum.[146] In preparation, he undertook an 11-day fast, consuming only coconut water and fruit and sleeping on the ground at night.[147] He performed the consecration ceremony on 22 January 2024 from 12:15 PM to 12:45PMIST.[148] Prime Minister Modi urged every Indian to light updiyas to mark the occasion and celebrate it likeDiwali.[149]
WhileYogi Adityanath's address was steeped in religious fervor, celebrating the Ram Mandir as a victory for faith and perseverance. He praised the devotion of millions who contributed to the temple's construction and acknowledged the divine blessings that guided the process.[153][154]
Mohan Bhagwat spoke of the Ram Mandir as a symbol of national pride, marking the revival of India's cultural heritage. He emphasised the importance of preserving ancient traditions and values in a rapidly modernising world.[155]
None of the fourShankaracharyas of the four cardinalmathas, citing various reasons, took part in the ceremony.[159][160][161]Sringeri Sharada Peetham issued a denial that its head seerBharathi Tirtha had expressed some displeasure and called the ceremony a "matter of joy" for all Hindu believers.[162] Tirtha blessed the event and sent an administrative officer, Gowrishankar as representative of the matha.[163] The head seer ofGovardhan Math,Nischalananda Saraswati said that the ceremony deviated from established tradition.[164] The head seer ofJyotir Math, Swami Avimukteshwaranand has stated that the ceremony is against Hindusastras as the temple is still under construction.[165][166] The head seer of theDwarka Sharada Peetham, Swami Sadanand Saraswati welcomed the ceremony as a "long-awaited moment".[167] He said that none of the four Shankaracharyas were angry and that it was not appropriate for them to attend given, the massive crowd expected.[168]
On 25 November 2025, the temple construction was formally completed with an event calledRam Mandir Dhwajarohan marked by hoisting of the saffron flag,Dharma Dhwaja, atop the temple by PM Modi.[14] The ceremony took place on the auspicious day of Vivah Panchami, with the flag, featuring the Sun, ‘Om’, and the Kovidara tree.[14] The dignitaries at the event included RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Governor Anandiben Patel, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.[14]
Impact and associated activities
A 9.8-metre (32 ft) model of Ram Mandir displayed duringDiwali of 2020 at Pacific Mall inWest Delhi[169][170]
The temple construction has been accompanied by a $10 billion transformation plan forAyodhya,[a] "encompassing a new airport, revamped railway station, and township development", fostering multiple hotel development projects and stimulating various economic activities.[171][172] As Hindu devotees all over the world throng to have adarśana (auspicious viewing) of this deity, the subsequent economic impact has been estimated to further enrich the state by the end of the year 2024 by four trillion Indian rupees (equivalent to 48 billion US dollars).[173]
Given its religious significance among Hindus, it is estimated that with 50 million annual visitors, Ayodhya's Ram temple is likely to become the most visitedHindu pilgrimage site in India.[174] After the opening of the Ram Temple to public on 23 January 2024, Ayodhya has welcomed 2.4 million visitors in just 12 days.[175] Based on the current visitor numbers, the Ayodhya's Ram temple is projected to become one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, surpassingMecca and theVatican.[176] Given the temple rush by devotees from all parts of India, it was estimated that spiritual tourism at Ayodhya has potential to create thousands of jobs as more manpower is required to cater the needs of the Ram mandir visitors and also attract huge investments.[177][178]
On April 17, 2024, the firstRam Navami (Ram's birth) festival after the consecration of the Ram Temple was celebrated by thousands of devotees.[179] On this occasion, theRam Temple witnessed a unique event at noon as the forehead of the Ram Lalla idol was anointed with a ray of sunlight, known asSūrya Tilaka (transl. Suntilak).[180] As the sun rays illuminated the forehead of the LordRam Lalla idol, scores of devotees celebrated the event.[179] The development of theSūrya Tilaka mechanism involved collaboration between scientists fromCentral Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, and theIndian Institute of Astrophysics (IIAP), Bangalore, who devised a sophisticated apparatus consisting of mirrors and lenses to direct a beam of light to the deity's forehead, marking a significant scientific feat.[180][179]
It has been a symbol of hope and it has become a part of festivities, and has also become a part of stand-up comedy, jokes and memes.[186][187] In 2019, the slogan was used in theParliament of India,[186] and it has also been used by media houses.[188][189] The slogan has been used as a threat as well as a vow.[190]
^As per Valmiki Ramayana, Rama had sixteen qualities. Rama was said to be1.guṇavān, 2.vīryavān, 3.dharmajñaḥ, 4.kṛtajñaḥ, 5.satyavākyaḥ, 6.dṛḍhavrataḥ, 7.cāritraḥ, 8.sarvabhūteṣu hitaḥ, 9.vidvān, 10.samarthaḥ, 11.priyadarśanaḥ, 12.ātmavān, 13.jitakrodhaḥ, 14.dyutimān, 15.anasūyakaḥ, and 16.jātaroṣasya saṃyuge devāśca bibhyati.
^The presiding deity is also referred by other names such asAcala mūrti (lit. Immovable idol),Dhṛva mūrti(lit. Fixed idol) andMūlavigraha (lit. The main idol).[38][39]
^ab"BBC". 16 October 2019.Archived from the original on 7 September 2023. Retrieved8 September 2023.Cite error: The named reference "bbc-2019" was defined multiple times with different content (see thehelp page).
^"India's Modi leads consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya".Reuters. 22 January 2024. Retrieved1 March 2024.Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the consecration on Monday of a grand temple to the Hindu god Lord Ram on a site believed to be his birthplace
^"Visiting Ram Temple in Ayodhya - the guidelines - no mobile phones".The Indian Express. 13 March 2024.Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved8 April 2024.A little over a month since the inauguration of the Ram temple.. the temple is witnessing an average of 1-to-1.5 lakh pilgrims on a daily basis
^Narayan, R.K. (2006).The Ramayana. Penguin Publishing Group.ISBN9781440623271.Archived from the original on 15 February 2024. Retrieved15 February 2024.
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