Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath laid the foundation stone for the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on Wednesday, 1 June, and said that the grand temple will become a 'Rashtra Mandir' (national temple) of India.
He added that the temple will be a “symbol of people's belief” and a symbol of India's unity.
Adityanath laid the foundation of the sanctum sanctorum amid chanting of mantras in the presence of members of the Ram Temple Trust, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and others, news agency PTI reported.
"The work is successfully proceeding and we are fortunate that the ritual of keeping the stones in the Garbhagriha has been initiated today," Adityanath said, according to news agency ANI.
Auspicious Day After 500 Years of Wait: Yogi
The CM added that Ram Mandir will not only be the 'national temple' of India, but will become a force to bind the nation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' campaign, as per The Times of India.
"People have been waiting for this day for a long time. Ram Mandir will be a symbol of India's unity," he said.
Adityanath added that the auspicious occasion has arrived after "500 years of wait," which will end the agony of devotees. He added,
The invaders had attacked the faith of Indians through their nefarious intentions and malicious intent, shattering the dreams of our country, but ultimately, India has emerged victorious. The significance of ‘Satyamev Jayate’ (truth will prevail) has been proved time and again.
The chief minister further stated that the temple will now be built at a "galloping pace" and the temple of Lord Ram will soon be built, which will serve as a symbol of faith for Sanatan devotees in the country.
Earlier, Maurya said the first phase of the Ram temple construction is completed and the second phase will start after the foundation laying of the sanctum sanctorum.
"The construction of Ram Janmabhoomi temple was started after the decision of the Supreme Court. After the completion of the first phase, the second phase of the temple construction will start with the laying of foundation stone by the chief minister,” he said.
(With inputs from ANI, PTI, and Times of India.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)