The consecration of the unfinished Ram temple in Ayodhya kicks off the election campaign for India's general elections. Prime Minister Modi uses the temple for his own purposes. There is, however, a religious conflict behind this.
In the pilgrimage city of Ayodhya in northern India, the structure of a new temple is being erected: on three floors and numerous buildings, it reaches a height of up to 49 meters. The temple with arched columns stands on a stone platform with steps leading up to it. The Shikara tower, above which flies a saffron yellow flag, is particularly impressive. Marble from the states of Madhya Pradesh, pink sandstone from Rajasthan and granite from Andhra Pradesh were used.
Although the inauguration in honor of the god Ram (also: Rama) will only take place on Monday, thousands of faithful have already gathered in Ayodhya. Amidst chants of “Jai Shri Ram” (“Glory to Lord Ram”), the 1.3-meter-tall main statue of Ram was installed in the temple’s sanctum sanctorum. 121 priests sang Vedic hymns. A sample of the magnificent consecration on January 22, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also participate.