A divine as well as long-awaited historic occasion of the pran prathistha of Ram Lalla took place at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on 22nd January 2024, amid tumultuous cheers from every corner of the universe. The seven-day-long Utsav culminated in the Murti’s ceremonious eye-opening at 12:20 pm on Monday. After performing the ‘aarti’ to the Ram Lalla idol, Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi heartily greeted everyone saying, “Ram aa gaye hai! After centuries of unprecedented patience, countless sacrifices, renunciations and penances, our Prabhu Shri Ram has come. Many congratulations to all the people of the country for this auspicious occasion.”

Lord Ram, the embodiment of dharm in human form has been a perennial source of inspiration for the whole of mankind since the very essence of dharm governs the universe. To get deeply connected with the rare divine ecstasy, and to share the same vibe with one another, people across the globe lit lamps, did bhajans and sang the glory of Ram. No sooner did the auspicious day break out, than an air of festivity and jubilation started to flow over the campus of the AVM. Donned with saffron colour flags with Ram’s images and colourful festoons, the campus wore a gala look.

We, the Atmiyans, had the privilege of witnessing the live telecast of the Utsav on the large screen at the AVM Mandir. With classes wound up at 3:45 pm, the campus geared up for the spiritual extravaganza with all the teachers and the housemasters in their best cultural outfits and ‘Jai Shri Ram’ sashes. A king-size portrait of Ram on a carriage was ready for the rally at the entrance of the AVM Mandir. Thunderous shouts of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ kicked off the rally. Dancing to the tunes and beats of the kirtans with flags waving up and down in unison, the bhoolkus broke into a great cheer. The rally that moved at a snail’s pace to let the children revel in dancing, in the end, paved the way for the traditional garba in concentric circles in the front yard of the AVM which stole the show.

What was more in the series of ecstasy was the final wrap-up – a Diwali celebration in miniature. With the bhoolkus seated on the steps of the Mandir, the ‘aarti’ session started with Mukesh Sir and Gautam Sir’s welcoming the gathering. In a bid to enlighten the Atmiyans about the five-hundred-year-old painful history of the Ram temple, they briefed on the cultural invasion during the reign of Babur and the other discrimination meted out under the British rule. The icing on the cake was the presence of our beloved Pujya Suhrad Swamiji who in his inspirational address rightly acknowledged those who moved heaven and earth to win the legal battles and were instrumental in building the new Mandir. He further insisted on our strict adherence to the Sanatan Dharm in every phase of our lives as Lord Ram did.

The aarti was reverently performed to Bhagwan Ram in a body – a highly spectacular view in natural light. The colourful firecrackers that bewitched the gathering with thousands of sparks in the high sky made a memorable closure to the day-long elation.

By constructing and consecrating the Ram Mandir, we are not only correcting the historical error but also confidently proclaiming to the world that we are a symbol of peace, patience, harmony, and constructive growth. Let Lord Ram guide us on the right path.

Written by: Bhagya Patel, Krutarth Patel (Grade 11)