21/01/2024
Witnessing the birth of a new era! What the Ram Mandir means to a simple citizen like me..
This is definitely a new Diwali for all Indians. The Ram Mandir inaugeration means a lot to all Hindus all around the world. I personally am a Gaud Saraswat Brahmin and our family deity has been Shantadurga and Mangeshi, whom are incarnations of Goddess Durga and Lord Shiva. I as such never prayed to Lord Rama ever. However the essence of Hinduism is polytheism where we respect other God's and deities and would bow down to them if we ever visited their temple. Inclusivity has always been integral to our nature.
This Temple in Ayodhya is a statement towards the same. Regardless of one's caste, creed or background every Hindu is rejoicing in the festivities.
1) It is an acknowledgement of a Bharat that existed since the last 5 millenia, not the India that we know for the last 76 odd years. Our deep cultural heritage is re emerging on a global front.
2) It a symbol of pride for every Bhartiya of that very same heritage. Post colonial Indians used to cower at the thought of identity, many leaving our nation for other opportunities elsewhere. There was a time being an NRI was considered superior than a Desi. Having traveled to many countries I personally feel the need to debunk that myth. Lives of people in other countries, no matter how developed is no better than what we go through here. As an Indian I now feel the pride in being a citizen contributing in my own way towards its development.
3) The temple is a symbol of unity like no other. Right from the Mughals to British to current political parties, divide and rule has been the norm. This temple is not of a particular caste but open to any person of faith. The caste divide is slowly dwindling giving rise to a confident singular nation. Indias journey towards being a global power resides on internal unity working towards a national goal. Japan is the best example towards that.
4) Victory of justice and truth, people may argue over the events over the past 30 years but that does not change the truth. Hindus have traditionally had a few cities of extreme importance, these mainly being Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura. These being the main temples of Lord Rama, Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna. Equivalent to Mecca for Muslims or Jerusalem for Jews and Christians. No argument can change that.
Watching this event gives me hope. To the dawn of a new era. We should not be proud that most MNCs such as Google, etc have Indian CEOs but wonder why not such minds be created in our own nation and have Google as an Indian MNC.
The Pran Prathistha tomorrow is not the Pran Prashtha of Lord Rama, as he is omnipresent, but the Pran Prathistha of Bharat, boldly going towards its goal of an economic, cultural, military and most importantly spiritual superpower!
Jai Hind!
