Experiencing the Essence of Ayodhya

New Delhi: “Ayodhya is significant for all kind of worships. It is not only the birthplace of Shri Ram, it is also the birthplace of five Jain Theerthankars also. Mahatma Buddha observed 16 Chaturmas there. Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Govind Singh also stayed in Ayodhya,” said RSS Sahsarkaryavah Dr Krishna Gopal on the second day of the Ayodhya Parva on February 29. Chairman of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, social activist Shri Nand Kishore Garg, MP from Ayodhya Shri Lallu Singh were also present.

 

 

The second edition of Ayodhya Parv was inaugurated on February 28 in the presence of Chairman of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Ramayana scholar Vijay Kaushal Maharaj, RSS Sahsarakaryavah Shri Dattatreya Hosabale, General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Shri Champat Rai and scores of eminent personalities.

 

 

Dr Krishna Gopal further said the reconstruction of Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya has been cleared after the tireless struggle for over thousand years. “All the religious places, which were demolished by the invaders, should have been renovated after Independence, but the Hindu society did not focus on them. He said the intolerant ways of worships that originated from the West ruined hundreds of civilisations and cultures in the world. The great powers including Egypt, Rome and Greece too surrendered before those invaders. But the Hindus refused to surrender and they continued to fight against the invasions since generations. The spirit that united the society for this struggle was spirituality,” he added.

 

 

The mega exhibition, organised as part of Ayodhya Parva, showcased over 150 sites around Ayodhya. It was inaugurated by Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Narendra Singh Tomar. A book ‘Aho Ayodhya’ was also released on the occasion.

Mahant Nritya Gopal Das described Ayodhya Parv as a great initiative. “We are organinsing this event to remember Shri Ram and His significance in the historical, cultural and spiritual evolution of our great civilisation. Ayodhya has seen patronage of many great rulers, who all have contributed immensely towards the making of what we know as India,” he said.

 

 

The Ayodhya Parva was held at a time when the preparations are gaining momentum for reconstruction of a grand Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya after the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in favour of the Temple. Through this cultural event, the people experienced the real essence of the holy city. “Ayodhya is a holy city. The birth place of Shri Ram has been disputed for a long time but it is a matter of immense happiness that we are now celebrating Ayodhya Parva in our national capital when all hurdles for making of grand Ram temple have been removed an agreeable manner. Ayodhya has emerged as undisputed centre of cultural, historical and religious importance,” said RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Dattatreya Hosabale.

 

 

The festival also had series of performances from eminent artists including singer Malini Awasthi, Kathak Dancer Anu Sinha and presentations from Awadhi folk dancers and singers. The Ayodhya Parva hosted a series of seminars and discussions on various aspects of Ayodhya and its relevance including a discourse on Ramrajya philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi and an inter-college debate by the students.