Ram temple consecration marks advent of new era, says PM Modi

The consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya marks the advent of a new era, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, adding that the occasion is not of mere triumph but of humility.

Addressing the dignitaries after the ‘Pran Pratishtha’, Modi said the Ram temple is the reflection of the maturity of Indian society.

"This is a moment of celebration as well as the moment of a reflection of Indian society's maturity. It is an occasion of not merely triumph but humility too,” he said.

The prime minister claimed that the construction of the grand temple of Ram Lalla is also a symbol of peace, patience, mutual harmony and coordination of the Indian society. 

“We are seeing that this construction is not giving birth to any fire, but to energy,” he said.

Claiming that the consecration ceremony has marked the advent of a new era, Modi  called upon people to build the foundation of a strong, grand and divine India of the next 1,000 years.

"From this auspicious moment we have to lay the foundation of India for the next 1,000 years. We have to move beyond the construction of the temple and resolve to build a strong, grand and divine India," he said.

He thanked the Supreme Court for paving the way for the construction of the temple by delivering its verdict in 2019 on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit. 

"Even after the Constitution came into existence, a legal battle was fought for decades (over) Lord Ram's existence. I would like to thank the judiciary that delivered justice and (allowed) Lord Ram's temple was built in a legal manner..." he said.

"Today, our Ram has arrived. After a long wait for ages, our Ram has arrived. Our Ram Lalla will no longer live in a tent. Our Ram Lalla will stay in a magnificent temple," Modi said in his 36-minute-long speech.