Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hoist the saffron flag - Dharma Dhwaja- at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on Tuesday at an event attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and other dignitaries.
The flag to be hoisted is saffron in colour, 10 ft by 20 ft, and triangular in shape, bearing the symbols of the 'Surya', 'Om', and the Kovidara tree. "The colour represents fire, and the rising sun - a symbol of sacrifice and dedication,” Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra general secretary Champat Rai told reporters.
But here are some important facts of the ‘Dharma Dhwaja’
1) The saffron flag, specially designed for the Shri Ram Temple, is unique in its texture and design. It measures 22 feet long and 11 feet wide.
2) The flag is made from lightweight yet extremely strong parachute fabric, capable of withstanding winds of up to 200 kilometres per hour. Made of three layers of aviation-grade parachute nylon and silk thread, the flag will withstand strong winds, rain, and sunlight.
3) The radiant sun carved on the flag is considered a symbol of Lord Ram's brilliance and valour. The 'Om' symbol and the outline of a Kovidar tree are also inscribed on it.
4) The 42-foot flagstaff is fitted with a 360-degree rotating ball-bearing. Seven artisans handcrafted it in 25 days.
5) The flag has three main symbols engraved on it: Om, Sun and the Kovidar tree, which are linked to the roots of the Ramayana and give the message of religion, courage and conservation of nature.
Meaning of the symbols
Meaning of Surya: It represents Lord Rama's Suryavanshi lineage, symbolising the royal heritage of the Ikshvaku dynasty.
Meaning of Om: The fundamental mantra of Hinduism, 'Om', represents the primordial energy of the universe and the essence of creation. This sacred sound symbolises spiritual awakening, peace, and divinity.
Meaning of the Kovidar tree: This unique and little-known symbol is derived from the Ayodhya Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana. In the Ramayana, the Kovidar tree is considered a symbol of the ancient royal tradition of Ayodhya, where it was planted on the borders of the capital.
