Ram Mandir – A Global Event

 

As the date for the consecration of the Ram Mandir draws closer, the enthusiasm of the people is growing exponentially. Many countries in Asia are enthusiastic about the ceremony. Sita was ‘Bhumi Kanya’ daughter of Mother Earth. She was from Nepal and Nepal has contributed big rocks(shila) from a sacred place. Devotees have brought water from all the seven seas for the ‘abhishek’. Countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and even South Korea have connection with Ramayana. All of these countries have asked to be invited for the ceremony.

The west is not directly linked to the Ramayana, but the Indian diaspora in these countries has made huge contributions to the funds. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad is coordinating with their representatives in Europe and America to get the job done.

Western devotees have enthusiastically welcomed this resurrection of the temple after perhaps five hundred years. This inauguration ceremony is going to be a global event. Friend and foe are watching all that is happening.

In India there is huge anticipation and curiosity among the general public. It will be a national event which will be broadcast live across the world to all Indians wherever they live. At the peril of sounding political it can be said that the credit for this event goes to the BJP party. They had this consecration in their election manifesto, and they are now on verge of completing it.

Apart from the political mileage that is available just for the taking, the one good thing that is emerging from this event is the unity of India, especially that of Hindus.               Notwithstanding the critics, this is one event where Hindus all over the world are united for this event. There are of course dissenting voices even today. This is part of the ‘Sanatana’ Hinduism where you are allowed to ask questions and criticize the religion, the teachings or even the philosophy. This freedom is not given by the Abrahamic religions.

The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has garnered the highest attention among people and countries. No other event has attracted so much attention across the world.  As temple consecrations go, this going to be a unique event.  

This is not only a religious event, it has social, political, economic and geopolitical connotations. Ayodhya will become a big tourist attraction and a pilgrimage center in the years to come. That means its economy will get a boost. It will emerge as a third pole after The Vatican and Mecca. This will serve to increase people to people contact between Indians and all those countries where the Ramayana is a cultural influence. This increase in people to people contact will give a fillip to economic ties and bring these countries under a common umbrella of shared culture. The Ram Mandir coming into being will have far-reaching consequences. Not only will it touch every Hindu, in more ways than one, but will also symbolize ‘Sanatana Dharma’ and Hindu unity. This will probably be its greatest contribution to India or Bharat as a nation and Hinduism.