Faith soars as PM Modi hoists flag atop Ram temple | Lucknow News
Ayodhya: The sky was clear and one could feel the festivity in the air. As PM Modi’s plane — Indian Air Force Boeing 737-700 BBJ — touched down at the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya at 9.40am, the ball was set rolling for the grand ceremony. Despite volcanic ash from Ethiopia affecting flight operations in Delhi, the PM’s aircraft navigated safely and reached the destination. At the airport, Modi was greeted by Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. From there, he boarded an IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter which landed at Saket. The PM covered the remaining distance of 2km to the Ram temple by road and was greeted by seers and public waving saffron flags, chanting “Jai Shri Ram,” and showering petals from balconies. The route was decked up with marigold garlands and saffron drapes, creating a festive spectacle. Over 7,000 invited guests, including tribal elders, schoolchildren, and families associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, joined the celebrations. Representatives from tribal and forest-dwelling communities of Sonbhadra were present as special guests, along with individuals linked to the Babri case. At the temple complex, Modi, dressed in white kurta-pyjama, was accompanied by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for the rituals. This marked the PM’s first visit to the Ram Darbar after it was opened to devotees. At the Ram Darbar, Modi performed aarti with a thali of diyas before the deities, followed by a special pooja at the Ram Lalla Garbha Grah.Before the ceremony, Modi offered prayers at shrines in the temple complex. The biggest moment came at 11.50am, during the auspicious Abhijit Muhurat, when PM and Bhagwat hoisted the Dharma Dhwaj. As the flag ascended to the 161-foot spire, the atmosphere turned electric. After the conclusion of the ceremony, the PM’s convoy left for the airport. The plane tookoff for Delhi around 2pm.
