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Big Temple for God Lord Ram Opens Soon in India
January 17th, 2024
Anticipation and activity are mounting in Ayodhya, a northern holy city of India, as a momentous event approaches. A majestic temple dedicated to Lord Ram, a deity of supreme reverence in Hinduism, is nearing its opening ceremony, poised to culminate a long-standing promise by Hindu nationalists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with several Hindu priests, will conduct the consecration ritual, placing a statue within the temple's sacred center. This event carries significant political weight as it aligns with the lead-up to a national election, and may bolster Modi's aspirations for an unprecedented third term, with Hindu voters forming a majority in India.
A city that was once known for its cramped housing and modest market stalls has embarked on an astonishing transformation to accommodate this historic inauguration. Roads have been expanded, a fresh airport and a vast railway station have emerged, and the hospitality sector is blossoming to welcome an expected flood of both citizens and India's elite.
The controversy behind this temple stems from a decades-long, deeply contentious dispute over its location—the very site where a 16th-century mosque once stood until its demolition in 1992 incited deadly riots. The Supreme Court resolved the conflict in 2019 with a verdict favoring the construction of the temple, marking a turning point for the city.
The structure itself, a grand edifice in pink sandstone, sprawls across an extensive complex, with intricacies like golden doors and intricate wall carvings still under progress even as the doors are set to open. Not all voices in the religious community agree with the inauguration of an incomplete temple, and the political opposition sees it as more of a political maneuver than a spiritual undertaking.
Nonetheless, a wave of fervor has swept across the Hindu public. Modi's government is orchestrating ceremonies and nationwide broadcasts to celebrate the temple's unveiling. Local politicians are seen participating in temple activities, and party volunteers energetically distribute symbols of faith among the population.
As the opening day draws near, a
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💭 Discussion Questions
1
. How is the construction of the temple in Ayodhya tied to the political aspirations of Prime Minister Modi?2
. What are the implications of the government's investment in infrastructure development in Ayodhya, in light of the upcoming temple inauguration?3
. How might the Supreme Court's decision in 2019 regarding the temple's location impact the social fabric and communal relations in India?📖 Vocabulary
🌐 Cultural context
The article is about the imminent inauguration of a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ram in Ayodhya, India. Ayodhya is a significant site in Hinduism and the birthplace of Lord Ram according to religious scriptures. The temple's opening has political and religious connotations, given the site's history of a disputed structure that was the center of communal tension. The Indian Prime Minister is associated with the Hindu nationalist party, and the event ties into the larger narrative of his governance and upcoming elections. India's religious demography and the interplay of religion and politics are essential cultural aspects here.
🧠 Further reading
Religious tourism in India
India, renowned as the birthplace of several major religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, is a prime destination for religious tourism. The country is teeming with sacred sites and pilgrimage circuits for devotees, including revered rivers like the Ganges and Yamuna, and hosts grand religious fairs such as the Kumbh Mela.
Bodh Gaya's Mahabodhi Temple stands among the most sacred Buddhist locations, highlighting a network of sites significant to the life and teachings of the Buddha. These locales are scattered across the land, commemorating moments from enlightenment to nirvana.
Hinduism's footprint in India is vast; pilgrimages, or yatras, are integral to the spiritual fabric of the nation. Pilgrims travel to a range of sacred spaces, such as the Char Dham, the 12 Jyotirlingas associated with Lord Shiva, and the 51 Shakti Pithas dedicated to the goddess's divine aspect. The quest for moksha drives worshippers to perform rituals and circumambulations at these sites, with special focus on circuits connected to deities like Lord Rama and Lord Krishna. These circuits encompass historical and mythological locations such as Ayodhya, Hampi, and Dwarka, deeply woven into the religious tapestry of Hindu believers.
Effect of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on Thailand
On December 26, 2004, Thailand experienced a catastrophic natural disaster alongside 13 other nations when an earthquake in the Indian Ocean triggered a devastating tsunami. The calamity wreaked havoc across six Thai provinces, affecting 407 villages and causing the complete destruction of 47, claiming the lives of 8,000 individuals. Amongst these were popular tourist destinations such as Khao Lak.
Witnesses first observed the tsunami's arrival near the Similan Islands, a renowned diving location situated not far from the coastal town of Phang Nga. Divers in the area encountered powerful underwater currents as the wave approached, while some inland flooding was also noted.
The island of Phuket, a famed tourist hotspot, suffered significant losses with 250 confirmed fatalities, particularly on the west coast, where beaches like Patong, Karon, Kamala, and Kata were inundated. However, the devastation in Khao Lak, approximately 80 kilometers north of Phuket, was even more profound, with nearly 4,000 deaths confirmed and estimates suggesting the toll could be higher. This staggering figure can be attributed to the beachfront bungalows, as opposed to the taller, sturdier hotels in Phuket.
Khao Lak features a vast expanse of low-lying terrain fringing the ocean, where many bungalows were situated. This area experienced the tsunami's highest surge outside of Sumatra due to the geographical features of the coastline and seabed. The sudden retreat of the ocean, known as the 'tsunami drawback' or 'disappearing sea effect', tragically lured many tourists into the danger zone. Among the victims in Khao Lak was Bhumi Jensen, the grandson of Thailand's revered monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Religion in India
India's rich tapestry is marked by a remarkable diversity of religious traditions and practices. This South Asian nation is birthed from the origins of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism—four significant religions that embody the essence of India's spiritual heritage and are practiced by the vast majority of Indians.
Reflecting the pluralistic ethos, the Indian Constitution lays down the principles of secularism, ensuring that the state upholds the principle of religious freedom, treating all faiths with equal respect and no endorsement of any one religion as state-sponsored. This stance is not about the separation of religion from the state, but rather about the state maintaining equal distance and impartiality towards every religious tradition, including non-belief.
Offering a snapshot of the religious landscape, the statistics from the 2011 census highlight that Hinduism is the predominant faith, followed by significant minorities of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains. India also holds the unique distinction of having the largest populations of Zoroastrians and Bahá'ís outside of their places of origin, underlining the nation's historical receptivity to a diversity of faiths.
The concept of a secular India has been enshrined in the constitution and upheld through legal interpretation. Even with the 42nd Amendment, which emphasized the nation's secular character during a politically turbulent time, the Supreme Court of India later affirmed that secularism had been a foundational pillar since the inception of the Indian republic. This constitutional directive signifies a commitment to neutrality and equal treatment of all religions by the state.