Ayodhya Ram Mandir inauguration: Beginning of new era of India's identity, says Devendra Fadnavis

Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic/PTI

The idol consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya at the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday is the beginning of a new era of India's identity, said Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, reported the PTI.

Addressing a gathering here to mark the occasion, Devendra Fadnavis said the contribution of 'karsevaks' (volunteers who took park in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the 1990s) was unparalleled and it is their sacrifices that has resulted in the construction of such a magnificent temple.

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"The grand temple at Ayodhya, which was inaugurated by PM Modi, is the beginning of a new era of India's identity. It is time for all sections of society to get equal rights. Let us all go to Ayodhya to have darshan of Ram Lalla," the senior BJP leader said, as per the PTI.

Asserting that January 22 is a red-letter day in Indian history, Devendra Fadnavis said he would make necessary arrangements to ensure people can visit Ayodhya to pray at the Ram Temple.

Devendra Fadnavis also visited the temple at Ram Nagar in Maharashtra's Nagpur to offer prayers.

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The function attended by Devendra Fadnavis was organised by the North Indian Association of Medicine Vendors Association and various social organizations. He was honoured by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust for his role as a 'karsevak'.

LED screens were set up in several areas of Nagpur to telecast the ceremony from Ayodhya live.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday celebrated the consecration of the new idol of Ram Lalla at the Ayodhya temple by playing 'dhol' along with his party workers in Thane, reported the PTI.

The idol was consecrated at the Ram temple in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya city on Monday, an event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and watched by lakhs of people on television at their homes and in temples across the country.

Fifty traditional musical instruments from across the country were part of a devotional "Mangal Dhwani" that resonated during the consecration ceremony.

After the ceremony in Ayodhya, Shinde and his party workers assembled at an open space near the Kopineshwar temple in Mumbai's neighbouring Thane city, the political turf of the chief minister, where he played the 'dhol' (a percussion instrument) to celebrate the occasion.

The CM will also participate in a 'shobha yatra' in the evening from Shivaji Park in Dadar to Bhoiwada Ram Mandir in Lower Parel area of Mumbai, a distance of nearly five kilometres, as per the PTI.

He will also offer prayers at the temple, sources said.

CM Eknath Shinde on Sunday said he plans to take his cabinet as well as MLAs and Lok Sabha members from the state for 'darshan' to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya later and, hence, was not attending the idol consecration ceremony in the Uttar Pradesh city.

(with PI inputs)