Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday raised a saffron flag on the top of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, marking the formal completion of the temple’s construction. The special ‘Dhwajarohan’ ceremony took place at 11:55 AM during the Abhijit Muhurat, considered an auspicious time.

This was the third and final major ceremony linked to the building of the Ram Mandir. Nearly 10,000 people attended, including many who had been part of the long Ram Temple movement. Senior leaders such as RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Governor Anandiben Patel were also present.

Before the event, PM Modi, Bhagwat, Adityanath, and the Governor offered prayers at the Mata Annapurna Temple inside the Ram Janmabhoomi complex.

The prime minister earlier performed the Bhoomi Pujan on August 5, 2020, and the Pran Pratishtha on January 22, 2024.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the right-angled triangular flag is 10 feet tall and 20 feet long. It carries the image of a radiant Sun, an ‘Om’ symbol, and the picture of the Kovidara tree. The flag now stands on a Shikhar built in the traditional North Indian Nagara style.

Around the temple, the 800-metre-long Parkota has been designed using South Indian architectural elements, highlighting the blend of styles in the Ram Mandir complex.

The PMO said the sacred flag will “convey a message of dignity, unity, and cultural continuity,” reflecting the ideals of Ram Rajya.

During his time in Ayodhya, the prime minister also visited the Saptamandir complex. It includes temples of Maharshi Vashishtha, Maharshi Vishwamitra, Maharshi Agastya, Maharshi Valmiki, Devi Ahilya, Nishadraj Guha, and Mata Shabari.

He later went to the Sheshavtar Mandir and will offer prayers at the Mata Annapurna temple, followed by darshan at the Ram Darbar Garbh Grah and Ram Lalla Garbh Grah.

The day also coincided with the martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, who is believed to have meditated in Ayodhya for 48 hours in the 17th century.