In India, we celebrate the symbolic return of Lord Ram every year during Diwali, when lamps light up streets and homes. It is an emotional occasion that celebrates both his triumph over the demon king Ravana and his return to Ayodhya following a 14-year exile. But very soon the historic city itself will celebrate its homecoming being opened to one and all in the form of Ayodhya Ram Mandir, also known as Ram Janmabhoomi which shall be celebrated with unmatched joy and festivity. The many temples, with the Ayodhya Ram Mandir being one of them, are some of the most important and among the foremost places of Hindu pilgrimage. Acclaimed as one of the highly sacred temples built over the years, it is believed to be the place where Lord Ram was born.

The history of the Ram Mandir is filled with heated discussions, ancient traditions, and major events that have influenced India's social and political environment for so long, much like a woven mosaic. Above all the political and historical controversies, there is one magnificent architectural masterpiece. The weight of thousands of years of culture and faith is carried by this building. It's more than simply a structure; it's evidence of how values and customs survived and influenced Ayodhya culture.

The past of Ayodhya and its foundation

Raghu and Dashrath(father of Lord Ram)to Ikshvaku and Harishchandra, the city once served as the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala. These leaders were known for their courage and moral character. Their tales are replete with dignity, difficulties, fairness, and fervent devotion.

The Ramayana suggests that Ayodhya's foundations were built by Manu, who is considered the first human in Hindu scriptures. Because of this, Ayodhya has become much more significant than just a historical location; it has become a hub for spiritual traditions and beliefs.

The creation of Babri Masjid

When Babar came to India in 1926, one of his generals who was leading the conquest of northeast India went to Ayodhya and constructed a mosque, which he named Babri-Masjid as a memorial to Babar (there is disagreement over whether the mosque was built on the site of the temple's demolition or after).

Demolition of Babri Masjid

In 1984 the mosque was to be brought down with a temple being set up in its place. The years passed on with the movement gaining more popularity which saw riots in 1990 and saw India's ruling party fall. This momentum swept the Bharatiya Janata Party to power in several states including Uttar Pradesh and on December 6, 1992, the demonstrators destroyed the mosque.

Consequences of demolition and its wide-ranging effects

However, the destruction of the mosque is only the start of a far wider disaster. Thousands of lives were lost tragically in communal riots which occurred in India in the months that followed. Besides, the tragedy justified radical groups to launch terrorist strikes inside the country for decades. Up to 2,000 people were killed in the intercommunal rioting that raged for several months between India's Hindu and Muslim communities. There were retaliatory attacks on Hindus both in Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Legal Battles

The demolition of the mosque generated a great deal of chaos, and the Indian government moved quickly to launch an investigation. A formal investigation was started by the Union Home Ministry on December 16, 1992. The Liberhan Commission was eventually established as a result of this. In its comprehensive report, the Commission—which had been tasked with investigating the circumstances leading up to the destruction—concluded that the events of December 6, 1992, in Ayodhya were planned after 399 sittings spanning more than sixteen years.

There were other court cases related to the incident in the years that followed. Court cases revealed the involvement of several parties. The issue remained a hot topic of conversation in India's legal and political circles. 

On November 9, 2019, the Supreme Court gave a major verdict that ended the centuries-old controversy in Ayodhya and cleared the route for the Ram Temple's construction. 

The Supreme Court urged the Centre, which had acquired the disputed site and its environs, to set up a trust to move forward with building the temple. This was a clause in the agreement that settled the conflict and made building the Ram temple there easier. 

The next chapter of Ayodhya: A holy city

This cultural rebirth was largely dependent on the town of Ayodhya, which functioned as the core of the initial turmoil. The proposed Ram Mandir was not just about religion. It was intended to serve as a potent reminder of all the suffering, wars, uprisings, and tragedies that humanity had experienced. It's here at last. The completion of this project took some time. The idea took several decades to design, develop, and come up with.

In August 2020, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a historic milestone by laying the foundation stone for the construction of the Ram temple. The subsequent, rapid stages of the temple's building began with this historic act.

Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, stated on Sunday that the work started in 2014 to establish Ram Rajya in the nation will be completed with the opening of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22.

Now that it is finished, the Ram Mandir represents more than just a beautiful place of worship—it also marks the beginning of a new chapter in Ayodhya's history. It acts as an important reminder of the struggles, disputes, and kindness that have defined its past. India becomes a symbol of unity, connecting the nation's heritage and potential future, when the temple doors open on January 22. It symbolizes overcoming difficulties with a shared spirit, resilience, and bringing people together.