January 22, 2025, marks one year since the culmination of the centuries-long struggle Hindus had waged to reclaim their God’s birthplace as PM Modi performed the Pran Prasthistha ceremony of Ram Lalla at the newly constructed sprawling and majestic Ram Mandir.
It was exactly a year back when Ram Lalla was reinsdtalle to his rightful abode, after 496 long agonising years when it fell victim to Islamic iconoclasm, losing its character when the Mughals destroyed a pre-existing temple and raised a mosque over it to humiliate the country’s majority, Hindus.
Across the country, the day occasioned celebrations as Hindus installed statues of Ram Lalla, Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, and Lakshman at several roubdabouts, open market places to commemorate the first anniversary of the epoch-making triumph of the Hindu civilisation.
More importantly, the day symbolizes a significant milestone in India’s path towards a steadfast Dharmic renaissance. The construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has awakened the long-slumbering Hindu consciousness, encouraging people to fight for what is rightfully theirs within the framework of constitutionally mandated recourse.
Echoes of “Jai Shri Ram” resonated from every corner of the country, creating an atmosphere of unity and triumphant celebration seldom seen on such an overwhelming scale, and second only to the day when Pran Prathistha of Ram Mandir was performed. The long-cherished prophecy, “Ram Lalla Aayenge, Mandir Wahin Banayenge,” had not only come true but had also gotten a year old.
Amidst the jubilant festivities, the moment also called for reflection on how the realisation of the Ram Mandir reinforced the cultural battle to reclaim what had once belonged to the Hindu heritage but had fallen victim to the iconoclastic attacks by invading Muslim marauders.
Ram Lalla’s return signifies not only religious fulfilment but the relentless courage of millions who kept the dream alive through generations. It is a testament to the enduring struggle against centuries of oppression, from the destruction wrought by Islamic invaders to the economic exploitation of British rule, and the marginalization under post-independence political narratives that suppressed Hindu identity and aspirations.
The Ram Janmabhoomi movement stood against historical iconoclasm, typified by sites like Mathura’s Krishna birthplace and Varanasi’s Gyanvapi complex. These locations remain symbols of India’s unresolved heritage conflicts, where temples were replaced by mosques under imperial rule. Despite independence, efforts to reclaim cultural pride faced ideological resistance from politicians and intellectuals committed to minority appeasement.
The Ram Mandir has, therefore, become a rallying point for civilizational healing and revival. It reaffirmed the notion that the wrongs of history can be righted, inspiring future efforts to reclaim heritage sites and restore spiritual centres central to the Indic worldview.
The realisation of Ram Mandir emboldened Hindus to believe in their ability to overcome centuries of injustice and oppose decades of gaslighting by Marxist-Nehruvian “distortians”, who guilt-tripped Hindus to suppress their demands to reclaim their civilizational heritage.
The Pran Pratishtha was not just the end of a struggle but a call to renewed action in safeguarding cultural and religious freedoms. The return of Ram Lalla to Ayodhya heralded a broader restoration of dharma and civilizational pride, inspiring continued devotion, service, and efforts toward a more harmonious and just society. With its first anniversary, we have completed a significant milestone, a launch pad to prepare ourselves for similar battles ahead as Gyanvapi and Sambhal beckon us.
(Jinit Jain@OPIndia)
Readers like you, make ESHADOOT work possible. We need your support to deliver quality and positive news about India and Indian diaspora - and to keep it open for everyone. Your support is essential to continue our efforts. Every contribution, however big or small, is so valuable for our future.
