RSS chief Bhagwat lauds Modi as 'tapasvi'

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a tapasvi, saying he followed a far more stringent religious exercise than he needed to for the Ram temple consecration ceremony. 

The Ayodhya airport handled around 100 chartered flights on Monday as many people flew into the city to attend the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple. 

A laser and light show depicting Lord Ram at the temple inaugurated in Ayodhya was organised on Monday.  

On the occasion of Ram Mandir pran pratishtha, filmmaker Prasanth Varma announced his new film titled Jai Hanuman.  

A Chinese research vessel is heading to Maldives, Reuters reported, citing an Indian military official and an independent researcher. 

Nine children suffered burn injuries on Monday after they came in contact with an 11,000-volt live wire during a religious procession in the Amethi district, the police said. 

Several major railway stations of Central and Western Railways were decorated with festive lighting to mark the idol consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on Monday. 

Police personnel were deployed outside the Jamia Millia Islamia on Monday as a precaution after a video of two to three students raising slogans such as "Strike for Babri" surfaced online, officials said. 

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu celebrated the pran pratishtha of Shri Ram Lalla at Ayodhya's Ram temple by lighting numerous 'diyas' at his official residence Oak Over on Monday.  

The Ranchi district administration has lodged an FIR against senior CRPF personnel for violating prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC during the questioning of Chief Minister Hemant Soren by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case, an official said on Monday. 

Tension prevailed in the Central Avenue area of Nagpur on Monday after the motorcycle of a participant in a rally to mark the idol consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya brushed past a pedestrian and the incident escalated into an argument between members of two communities. 

President of UN General Assembly Dennis Francis on Monday began a five-day visit to India to discuss with his Indian interlocutors various key issues including geopolitical tensions and New Delhi's engagement with the global body. 

Vilas Bhavsar, 60, from Jalgaon in north Maharashtra had vowed in 1992 not to wear any footwear until a grand Ram temple is built in Ayodhya.

On Monday, after the new Ram Lalla idol was consecrated at the Ayodhya temple, at an event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bhavsar wore footwear for the first time in 32 years.

Bharatiya Janata Party's Girish Mahajan, a minister in Maharashtra government, presented Bhavsar a pair of chappals at an event at Jamner in Jalgaon district on Monday and the latter wore them.

Bhavsar, who runs a paan shop in Jalgaon, said he was happy that his vow had been fulfilled and the dream of every 'Ram bhakt' has been realised.

Bhavsar said that after demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992, he vowed not to wear footwear till a grand Ram temple was built 'at the same spot' in Ayodhya.

Kar sevaks are people who volunteer their services for free to a religious cause, the term being derived from the Sanskrit words 'kar' (hand) and 'sevak' (servant).  -- PTI

Saisuresh Sivaswamy/Rediff.com decodes Prime Minister Modi's speech after the pran prathistha ceremony in Ayodhya. Read the column here. 

The BJP enters challenging times where it has been given a task to hold onto the values of Ram in running the country as defined by Narendra Modi in Ayodhya today, notes Sheela Bhatt.

After the country witnessed the grand 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Shri Ram Lalla at Ayodhya's temple on Monday, the city was adorned with 'Ram Jyotis', creating a mesmerising atmosphere symbolising the divine presence of the Lord. 

Pretty as a picture: Army helicopters showered flowers on the Ayodhya temple this morning. 

It's been a tiring and stressful day for security personnel in Ayodhya today.  The Uttar Pradesh government implemented a comprehensive plan encompassing advanced security and traffic management measures.

After the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ayodhya's Ram Mandir was completed on Monday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that today's occasion marks the end of 500 years of slavery and shows that anything is possible in India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

On the day of the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, a Muslim woman in Firozabad on Monday gave birth to a child and named him Ram Rahim giving a message of Hindu-Muslim unity. Dr Naveen Jain, the in-charge of the District Women hospital, said that a woman Farzana gave birth to a baby boy on Monday. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday visited the Kuber Tila on the Ram temple premises in Ayodhya and offered prayers to Lord Shiva there.

He performed 'jalabhishek' (pouring water on the 'Shiva linga') and also did a 'parikrama' (circumambulation) of the temple.

The ancient Shiv temple located on the Kuber Tila in the Ram Janmabhoomi complex is also being renovated by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which is constructing the Ram temple.

The prime minister later unveiled a statue of Jatayu, a mythical bird that was killed by Ravana while trying to save Goddess Sita from the demon king, on the premises of the Ayodhya temple.

Throwing light on Jatayu's integrity, Modi said such a sense of duty is the basis of a capable and divine India.

The main entrance to the Ram temple is situated on the eastern side, which can be approached by ascending 32 stairs through the Singh Dwar. There are a total of five 'mandaps' (halls) in the temple -- Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prathana Mandap and Kirtan Mandap.

Near the temple is a historic well (Sita koop). In the southwestern part of the temple complex at Kuber Tila, the ancient temple of Lord Shiva has been restored along with the Jatayu statue.

The consecration of the new Ram Lalla idol was led by Modi and watched by lakhs of people on television at their homes and in temples across the country.

The new idol depicts Ram at the age of five and was carved from black stone by Mysuru-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj. It was draped in a yellow dhoti, and adorned with stone-studded jewellery and flowers in shades of red, yellow and purple.

Army helicopters showered flower petals on the newly constructed Janmabhoomi temple as the 'pran pratishtha' ceremony took place -- a seminal occasion in India's political and religious history.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said 13 persons were detained for an alleged assault on a group of persons taking out a vehicle rally in Mira Bhayander area adjoining Mumbai on the eve of the Ram Temple idol consecration in Ayodhya.

The clash between members of two communities took place during a vehicle rally in Naya Nagar area at around 10.30pm on Sunday in which 10-12 participants in three cars and an equal number of vehicles were shouting slogans praising Lord Ram, a police official said.

However, when some of them burst firecrackers, a group of people came out of their houses and thrashed those taking part in the rally with sticks and also attacked their vehicles, he said.

"The police intervened quickly and the attackers were dispersed. The area saw heavy police deployment to maintain law and order and to prevent any further flare-up. A company of the Riot Control Police (RCP) is also at the site," the official said.

A first information report (FIR) was registered at Naya Nagar police against the attackers under Indian Penal Code section 307 (attempt to murder) and other offences, he added.

In a social media post on Monday, Fadnavis said, "I have taken all the details from the local police yesterday itself as I was in touch with the police commissioner till 3.30 am. I have given orders to take strict action against the miscreants."

"So far, 13 accused persons have been detained. The process of identifying more people who were involved in it with the help of CCTV footage is going on. Anyone trying to disrupt law and order in the state will not be tolerated," Fadnavis added.

A video of the incident has gone viral on social media.

Meanwhile MLA Pratap Sarnaik of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena met Mira Bhayander Vasai Virar (MBVV) police commissioner Madhukar Pandey on Monday and sought the setting up of a special investigation team (SIT).

Sarnaik said the Shiv Sena would hold a protest on January 25 if those involved in the attack on the processionists are not arrested immediately.   -- PTI

Here's another picture of the dustbins. 

The truth behind the cleanliness drive: All the dustbins on Rampath have no base, which means if you throw something into it, the rubbish falls on the ground.      

Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis on the Mira Road-Bhayandar incident: "About the incident occurred last night at Mira Road: "I took detailed info on what happened in Naya Nagar in Mira Bhayender last night itself. 

A book on Ayodhya, a metal 'diya', a special 'mala' and a scarf bearing the name of Lord Ram are among the items that have been gifted to the guests who attended the consecration ceremony at the temple here on Monday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday showered flower petals on the workers who were a part of the construction team at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The Prime Minister also sprinkled flowers on the idol of Jatayu at the Ram Temple premises and also offered prayers to Lord Shiva in Ayodhya Dham.

PM Narendra Modi breaks his fast after the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at the Ram Janmaboomi Temple in Ayodhya. Modi was on a strict diet of only tender coconut water for 11 days ahead of of the consecration. 

PM Modi offers prayers before Lord Shiva in Ayodhya Dham. He then meets the temple construction workers and showers flower petals on them.  Modi also unveils statue of 'Jatayu' at the Ram temple premises.

PM Narendra Modi thanked the Supreme Court of India which paved the way for the construction of the temple by delivering the verdict on November 9, 2019.

One of the few shops that are open has this paw-some shopkeeper -- a Labrador called Bozo. 

Tankers spraying water on roads to settle the dust on Rampath. This is being done every 15 minutes today.  

Several Bollywood celebrities attended the Ayodhya Ram Temple Pranpratishtha ceremony today. Directors Rohit Shetty and Rajkumar Hirani, actors Madhuri Dixit Nene, Alia Bhatt-Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif-Vicky Kaushal and Ayushmann Khurrana pose for a photograph at the venue.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath speaking outside the Ram Mandir: "I welcome PM Modi, RSS chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat and other dignitaries present here. The entire country has become 'Rammay'. It seems that we have entered Treta Yug.

Poet Kumar Vishwas says, "It is a moment of great fortune. People waited for 550 years for this moment...This is a festival of joy..." 

Uma Bharti and Sadhvi Ritambhara, both of whom played a key part in the Ram Temple movement at Ayodhya. Both the women exchanged hugs and broke down after meeting each other. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi does 'dandavat pranam' at the Ram Janmaboomi Temple in Ayodhya. The idol of Ram Lalla with lotus eyes was unveiled in the presence of Modi.

A woman dressed as Lord Ram in Ayodhya all the way from Kolkata. 

The new Ram Lalla idol was consecrated at the Ayodhya temple on Monday, an event watched by lakhs of people on television at their homes and in temples across the country. 

The Ram Lalla idol has been unveiled. It is apparently adorned with emerald and ruby jewels and a gold tilak. The idol also holds a gold bow and arrow.  PM Narendra Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, and Governor Ananadiben Patel are inside the sanctum sanctorum. The idol was unveiled at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya during the pranpratishtha ceremony.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Shri Ramlalla in the newly-built Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya on Monday. 

Ram Mandir pran pratishtha begins. The Ram Lalla idol is gold and saffron amid the strains of 'payoji maine ram ratan dhan payo...' on a shehnai.  PM offers a lotus at Ram Lalla's feet. The idol to represent a 5-year-old Lord Ram was carved by Arun Yogiraj.

Another image of Mohan Bhagwat with Narendra Modi. The pran pratishtha ceremony begins exactly at 12:29:08. 

PM Modi leads rituals along with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Modi, ahead of the event said he was fortunate to be part of the event. 

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and PM Modi begin the prayers at the temple garbha griha. As many as 14 couples from various parts of the country will perform the duty of 'yajmans' (hosts) during the Ram temple consecration ceremony.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins pran pratishtha puja at Ram Janmaboomi Temple in Ayodhya.

The Ambanis at Ram Mandir.  

Superstar Rajinikanth at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.

First Anuradha Paudwal and then Shankar Mahadevan (Shri Ramchandra kripalu bhajaman) mesmerize audiences at the venue with the bhajans. 

This, for instance, is one of the numerous bylanes or gallis hitting Rampath. Every single bylane is manned by security and barricaded. So, just on the left of this lane is a small mishtaan selling samosas and jalebis. We are told they were delectable. 

Update: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ayodhya on Monday for the consecration ceremony at the newly constructed Ram temple. 

Industrialists Sunil Bharti Mittal and Anil Ambani arrived in Ayodhya to attend the Pran Pratistha ceremony of Ram Lalla, scheduled later in the day. Also, the members of the Mukesh Ambani family will be present personally at Ayodhya to witness the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. 

Another dance performance, likely Chhau, on Rampath to keep the crowds engaged.

Look who's in Ayodhya for Lord Ram's pran pratishtha!

Saisuresh Sivaswamy/Rediff.com reporting from Ayodhya says the enitire entire 13-km stretch of Rampath that leads to the Ram Mandir is awash with colour and festivity. People dressed as Ram or Hanuman, people carrying saffron flags, chanting Jai Shri Ram line the roads. All bylanes are blocked. 

The Rampath leading to the mandir has been emptied ahead of PM Modi's arrival. 

The invitees to the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple continued to arrive at the temple town on Monday morning with locals and devotees gathering on both sides of the road waving saffron flags and dancing to the tunes of songs dedicated to Lord Ram. 

RAF personnel request people who do not have passes to move away from the entrance. There is absolutely no way anyone can sneak in to the area in front of the temple where the VVIPs are seated because all bylanes are blocked. 

An earlier image of actors Madhuri Dixit Nene, Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif, Ayushmann Khurrana, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and filmmakers Rajkumar Hirani, Mahaveer Jain and Rohit Shetty as theyleft for Ayodhya.

And the crowd obliges... 

Security detail (woman in blue blazer) requests people to move away from the temple gates.

Actor Kangana Ranaut reaches Ayodhya. "Yehi janmbhumi hai param pujya Shri Ram ki, Jai Shri Ram."

As VIPs stream in at the Ram Mandir main gate the first casualty is the media which gets pushed back. Saisuresh Sivaswamy/Rediff.com who is in Ayodhya says he and photographer Rajesh Karkera almost managed to squeeze in to the temple but for an alert security guard who realised their passes were not VIP but media. 

Almost every house along Rampath has a temple in courtyard.

Super luxe cars like the Mercedes S Class, Landrovers, Maybachs on Ayodhya roads.

A traffic jam of VIPs heading to the Ram temple on Rampath, Ayodhya, on Monday morning. While about 8,000 people are in the long list of invitees, the select list features 506 A-listers, including prominent politicians, leading industrialists, top film stars, sportspersons, diplomats, judges and high priests.

Rampath on Monday is cordoned off with heavy security cover. Vehicles carrying VIPs zip past, commandos are on the alert. Devotees are allowed to line up the pavement, under watchful eyes. Shops and establishments that did roaring business till last night are are shut, and one shopkeeper with shutter half down said they hope to open in the afternoon. "Ramji ki mahima," he said.

A boy plays the dumru on Rampath, the arterial road leading to the Ram Temple.

A devotee blows a conch on Rampath in Ayodhya this morning. 

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Chief Priest Acharya Satyendra Das on Monday said that with the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, Ram Rajya will begin and all the inequalities will be over. All invitees will be given bells for the aarti. 

Ahead of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla, legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was spotted at Mumbai airport on Monday morning as he headed to Ayodhya. 

Army helicopters will shower flowers on Ayodhya and 30 artists will play different Indian musical instruments at the temple premises at the time of Aarti at Ram Janmabhoomi temple on Pran Pratishtha day, according to temple authorities.

Five lakh laddus prepared at the Mahakaleshwar temple in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain city have reached Ayodhya ahead of the Ram temple consecration ceremony on Monday, an official said. 

A spiritual leader carrying kumkum' from Maharashtra's Amravati district for the Ram temple consecration ceremony has reached Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, a local religious body representative said. 

As Lord Ram's temple is set for a grand opening, the banks of the river in Ayodhya erupted with celebration, reports Saisuresh Sivaswamy/Rediff.com.

Megastar Chiranjeevi and his son Ram Charan on Monday morning left for Ayodhya ahead of the Pran Pratishtha of the Ram Mandir ceremony.

All 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case have surrendered at the Godhra sub jail in Gujarat's Panchmahal district in keeping with the deadline set by the Supreme Court. 

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, along with his son Abhishek Bachchan, left for Ayodhya on Monday morning to attend the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony. 

While more than 7,000 people are on the list of invitees for the event, the select list features 506 A-listers. 

The Ram temple has been decorated with "rich stocks" of flowers and special lights and the entire city is drenched in religious fervour. Streetlights on flyovers have been decorated with artwork depicting Lord Ram as well as cutouts of bow and arrow, and ornamental lampposts carry designs themed on the traditional "Ramanandi tilak". 

The temple town of Ayodhya is all set to welcome Lord Ram with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to participate in the consecration ceremony at the newly constructed Ram Mandir on Monday.