Ayodhya Dharma Dhawaj (PTI photo)
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Ayodhya on Tuesday to hoist the “Dharma Dhwaj” atop the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, a moment residents describe as the fulfilment of a centuries-old aspiration.The specially designed flag, 22 feet long and 11 feet wide, has been crafted by a parachute specialist from Ahmedabad to withstand high-altitude conditions on the 161-foot temple summit. Weighing between two and three kilograms, the flag has been engineered for durability on the 42-foot flagpole.The ‘Dharma Dhwaj’ carries three sacred symbols, Om, the Sun and the Kovidara tree, each representing core values of Sanatan Dharma. Om signifies the eternal spiritual sound and cosmic vibration. The Sun symbol marks Lord Rama’s Suryavanshi lineage, invoking divine energy. The Kovidara tree, believed to be a hybrid of the Mandar and Parijat created by Rishi Kashyap, symbolises ancient knowledge and the continuity of sacred traditions.The flag is scheduled to be hoisted during the Abhijit Muhurat on Vivah Panchami, considered auspicious in the Ramayana tradition. A four-day ‘havan’ has been under way in the Yagna Mandap ahead of the ceremony, with around 100 priests performing rituals.Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra general secretary Champat Rai said thousands of saints from eastern Uttar Pradesh and about 7,000 invitees will attend the ceremony. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh governor and chief minister Yogi Adityanath are expected to be present. Mobile phones will not be permitted inside the temple premises during the event.Residents said the hoisting of the “Dharma Dhwaj” marks not only the completion of the Ram Temple’s construction but also a moment of cultural pride for followers of Sanatan Dharma around the world.