Flashback to '49: Ramlalla's VIP arrival in Ayodhya

Ayodhya's timeless tradition

Dear reader,

Just yesterday, Ayodhya celebrated its annual Prakatya Mahotsav, a unique festival that's been a tradition since 1950. But what's this festival all about?

This festival marks a special day back in 1949. That's when a picture of Lord Ram was placed inside the structure.

Before India's new Constitution, some religious leaders in Ayodhya had a plan. They placed the picture to emphasise the place's importance to Hindus and held a special ceremony.

Key figures in this plan included Mahant Avaidyanath and government officials like Thakur Gurudutt Singh and KK Nayar. Before placing the picture, they had people singing and reading religious texts outside the structure.

On the night of December 22-23, 1949, a sadhu named Ram Das quietly placed the picture there. By morning, everyone was talking about it, and the news even reached Pakistan before the Indian government!

Every year, Ayodhya celebrates this event with a large parade. Children dress up as Lord Ram and his brothers, gathering at the Ram Janmabhoomi site for a special prayer. What's noteworthy is that the organisers openly acknowledge that this event was planned.

Swati's recent story on this is a perfect read for the evening: https://swarajyamag.com/reports/in-ayodhya-annual-prakatya-mahotsav-continues-to-celebrate-1949-placement-of-ramlalla-inside-babri-structure

And this year, the Prakatya Mahotsav was not just a one off event—it's part of the lead-up to January 22.

Talk to you soon,

Raghu

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