It started with a call I got from the Rashtra Sevika Samiti—they said they had seen my work on Mahabharata and Ramayana (Ramayana Unravelled and Mahabharata Unravelled—the books authored by me) and would to invite me to propose my name for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. I was bowled—I remember even asking if it was a prank as I couldn’t believe that I was one of the fortunate few in a country of billions to witness such a historical moment live.
Then the Rashtra Sevika Samiti representative said it’s only because they have followed my work on Mahabharata and Ramayana, and now it would be a decision by the Pran Pratishtha Committee. I felt dhanya (blessed) only being considered…I thought all my good work had found fruition if Bhagwan Ram thought me worthy of even being considered.
This also took me back to the time of Karsevaks. I was very young at the time and probably did not fully understand what was going on between 1989 and 1992, but I do remember this because of my mother. I was never one of those who believed there should be a hospital or a school there. My mother was a big proponent of the Ram Mandir – so that was never a point of debate in my mind. As one grew up, one realised that it was not at all an unjustified demand – there’s enough archaeological evidence that proves how outsiders had destroyed our places of worship. Thanks to my work and interest, I travel extensively, and I was once in Hungry, where I saw a church that had become a mosque during the Ottoman Empire and later restored. In many places across the world – cultures take pride in restoration, as it’s the just thing to do. And I saw with how much ease it’s done and how there’s no discomfort surrounding the conversation. When it comes to our country, we know how countless Mandirs were destroyed by the invaders, yet we only want to fight legally for three –our main Araadhyas, (Gods) Shivji in Gyanvapi, Krishna in Mathura and Sri Ram in Ayodhya. The fact that the majority fought a long-drawn battle for a righteous claim shows how strong our democracy and justice system are.
Having said this, I was only engaged emotionally, but hundreds fought on the ground, in courts, physically and mentally and lost so much along the way. To be chosen then was an overwhelming feeling. And when we reached there, two days before the ceremony, the atmosphere was electrifying. That atmosphere, energy, and vibe of Ayodhya –all dressed up, all glittering, all throbbing with bhajans –it was extraordinary and hard to describe in words. People were singing, and dancing, so positive and festive.
On the day, we woke up at 5.30 am, and the morning started with Ram Bhajans. Then, it started to dawn upon us –the enormity of the occasion. When the verdict had come, we were all happy…but now it all seemed more real all of a sudden. Our Ram Lalla was coming out of his tent and into his rightful place –and we couldn’t contain our joy.
The best part was when we saw PM Modi walk with the Chhattra in his hands…that feeling, to see the man of the moment, the chosen one, walk that distance, which was like covering 500 years, seemed enormously significant. In that distance, he covered centuries. He covered a yug. And when we saw the Vigraha, we knew Ram Rajya had dawned on us. It was a new yug. A new Time. Tears rolled down, with smiles that haven’t left our faces since then.
Ram Mandir’s Pran Pratishtha was an epoch-making moment, not only for me but also for every Hindu and every Indian. I do not know whom I should thank for the invitation, but I would like to thank Bhagwan Sri Ram for acknowledging my contribution and allowing me to attend his event.
The event was very special from the time we landed at the Ayodhya Airport. The Airport is so beautiful with Ramayana depicted by various arts and crafts in different art styles, from Madhubani to Thanjavur paintings.
The four days I was in Ayodhya, I did not see a single sad, angry, grumpy face. From the security team, who were very kind and helpful to the cleaning crew, who were also doing their job saying Sri Ram ki Seva kar rahe hai – everybody was working with the same attitude that whatever they were doing, it was going to Bhagwan Sri Ram.
I did not sleep on the night of January 21. The entire city was awake. I walked around the city late at night until 1 o’clock and met people who had come as far away as Assam, on their own, without invites. I met people from Madhubani, Bihar, who very proudly told me they had come from Sita Maa’s Mayka. All they wanted was to be in the city and breathe the air of Ayodhya on January 22. UP Government had made good arrangements. There were Sulabh toilets everywhere, and especially for women, they had put up Pinkpee toilets. People were carrying their bedding. I saw scores of people sleeping on the Ghats of Ayodhya, outside shops and Mandirs. Nobody was complaining because people had come out of their bhakti and astha. However, what I experienced on January 22 is difficult to express in words, it was divine. When you see the Mandir, you realise that it is much bigger, much grander, and much more imposing than pictures do justice to it. The reality is far more impressive. The murti of Sri Ram is something you can keep staring at for hours, but still, your heart will not be fulfilled.
