Commenced on March 25, 2024, the Vishva Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) has commenced an unmatched journey of faith by organising a monumental rally from Chicago on Holi to recall and show respect to the historic opening of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, India. This auspicious Ram Mandir Rath Yatra is a significant milestone in the history of Hindus, as devotees from across the globe have come together to celebrate the decades of devotion and dedication.
The Ram Mandir Rath Yatra which is being organised by the VHPA has begun to travel across the length and breadth of the United States. It is expected to cover a pitch of 851 Hindu temples which are located across all 48 states. The culmination of the Ram Mandir Rath Yatra is scheduled for April 23, 2024, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Shree Hanuman Jayanti, at Sugar Grove, Illinois.
According to Amitabh Mittal, general secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), the yatra is being carried on a Rath. The rath/ chariot has been built over a toyota sienna van which is carrying the statues of Bhagwan Ram, Mata Sita, Lakshman ji, and Hanuman ji, along with a special prasadam from the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, and kalash of Prana Pratishtha Pujit Akshat. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad of Canada will organise the canadian section of the Rath Yatra. This separate initiative is assured to pass over the expansive Canadian landscape by visiting over 150 temples across the country. Thus, the Canadian leg of the Rath Yatra adds a unique dimension and highlights the widespread reverence for Bhagwan Ram among the Canadian Hindu diaspora.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) initiative to organise this massive yatra/ rally underscores its commitment of promoting the Hindu culture and heritage in the United States. The Rath Yatra is being greeted with enthusiasm and reverence by Hindus of all backgrounds. Moreover, it also serves as a platform for cultural exchange and dialogue.
According to Tejal Shah who is representing the Hindu Mandir Empowerment Council (HMEC), the paramount organization that oversees temples in the United States, there is a crucial need for solidarity at this moment, particularly among present and forthcoming generations to safeguard and promote the essence of Hinduism on a global scale.
History of Ayodhya Ram Mandir
Inaugurated on January 22, 2024, in the ancient city of Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, Ram Mandir holds immense significance for millions of Hindus worldwide. For generations, Hindus have revered Ayodhya as a sacred pilgrimage site, where Hindu devotees collectively pay homage to Bhagwan Ram. However, the site has also been embroiled in controversy and conflict, particularly surrounding the Babri Masjid, a mosque built on the same site in the 16th century during the Mughal rule. The Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute has been the center of attraction for communal tensions and legal battles for decades. Finally, a landmark verdict was made by the Supreme Court of India in November 2019 where the court ruled in favor of the Ram Mandir’s construction at the disputed site. Along with the decision of Mandir, the Court has also directed the allocation of land for the construction of a mosque elsewhere in Ayodhya.
Thus the Rath Yatra is not just a celebration of the past but a positive indicator of the future. It is a reminder that the legacy of Bhagwan Ram lives in the hearts of his devotees no matter what their location is.
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