Photo Courtesy: kreately.in

There have been some anti- India forces including self- proclaimed South Asia experts in the Western world, who vail and do chest beating that Babri Masjid was brought down in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India and Shri Ram Mandir is being built there.

When you ask these vailing voices and chest beaters, what was there before Babri Masjid? They will just go deaf and dumb. However, archeological survey of India has an answer for them.

Hinduism is the only civilization that concerns humanity at large and the universal brotherhood. World’s many independent thinkers hold the opinion that Hinduism is the only hope of peace on this planet. The proof lies in the pudding. Hindus all over the world have been recognized for their peaceful and positive contributions.

Recently, in USA, October was declared as the Hindu Heritage Month by 21 of the 50 States. Incidentally, these States represent no less than 2/3rd of the population of USA. On the occasion of Deepavali, world leaders had congratulated Hindus and appreciated their contributions. Deepavali is celebrated in the White House. It is not too far, when Deepavali may be declared as National Holiday In USA. For more details, may please see, ‘Hindus- From the Eyes of Americans’ in kreately.in

I may quote from the Proclamation of the State of Wisconsin, 2021, as follows:

“Hindus Strive to achieve  Dharma, which is a code of conduct for living that puts an emphasis on ethics, morality, righteousness, duty, responsibility, law and order, service to Humanity, nature, environment, ecology, and inclusivity.”

“The Hindu heritage, culture, traditions,  and values provide invaluable solutions to  many of life’s problems and often serve as a source of inspiration, reflection and contemplation for the millions of individuals who look to the teachings of  Hinduism for guidance.”

“We recognize yoga, chess, buttons,  cataract surgery, shampoo, algebra, trigonometry, and even the concept of number zero represent some of the major inventions and gifts of Hindu civilization to the world.”

“Sanskrit, a classical language of ancient India and south Asia is considered by many to be ‘the Mother of all languages’ and is the language of the world’s oldest sacred scripture, the Rig Veda, which is thought to have been composed as early as 1500 BCE.”

“Guided by a belief in promoting knowledge and education through dialogue, discourse, and debate, Hindu Americans have made significant contributions to all aspects of our society- from Science and medicine to business, politics, and industry- all while working towards a more peaceful, diverse and inclusive world for all.”

Ram Mandir is No Ordinary

The Ram Mandir of Ayodhya is no ordinary. It WILL be the center of world consciousness and international destination. That is for four reasons:

  1. Ram Naam

It is not what is in a name? It is everything is the name.

Sage Budh Kaushik had long ago said in Ram Raksha Stotaram:

राम रामेती रामेती, रमे रामे मनोरमे ।

सहस्तर नाम ततुलयम्, राम नाम वराणयम् ।।

The word Ram is equal to reciting thousands of divine names.

It is so true because RAM is indeed the synonym of AUM.

AUM is an abbreviation of three words: उपजाना, आलन- पालन, मृत्यु

RAM is also an abbreviation of three words: रचनाकर्ता , आलन- पालनकर्ता , मृत्युकर्ता 

And that AUM or RAM signify that primordial energy that is the origin of ALL.

Hindus called HIM Parmatma, Ishwar. English called HIM God. Incidentally, God is also an abbreviation of three words; GOD= Generator, Operator, Destroyer.

Saint Kabir Das had gone to describe RAM as manifest and unmanifest phenomenon. He had said:

एक राम दशरथ के बेटे,

एक राम जो घट घट बेठा,

एक राम का सकल पसारा,

एक राम जो सब से नयारा ।।

(meaning, one Ram is the son of Dashrath (the king of Ayodhya); one Ram is that soul (jivatma) sitting in each of us; one Ram is all the diversity on this planet and universe (animate and inanimate); and one Ram is still different from all those, that is Parmatma, Ishwar, the creator/ origin of all).

  • Ram Mandir

We live in a world, where nations take pride in showcasing the highest building, the biggest national flag, the biggest waterfall. Ram Mandir in Ayodhya (India) will be 161 ft tall; temple area will be 10 acres; and temple complex will be 57 acres .

It will be the international destination. Our world, at the time of writing, has approximately 7.8 billion people; out of that are 1.1 billion Hindus. Every Muslim likes to visit Mecca; every Christian likes to visit Jerusalem. Every Hindu would like to visit Ram Mandir Ayodhya.

Our world has 195 nations, of which 193 are members of United Nations Organization (UNO). You will find Hindus in every country. They all are waiting to visit Ayodhya now. Incidentally, Indian Railways have already started Bharat Darshan Special Tourist Train”, one of the most affordable, all-inclusive tour package, covering all the important tourist places in the country. Booking of Bharat Darshan Special Tourist Train is available online on IRCTC website. Bookings can also be done through IRCTC Tourist Facilitation Centre, Zonal Offices and Regional Offices. One of the most interesting tour will be Shri Ramayan Yatra.

SHRI RAMAYANA YATRA: Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days; Package Code: SZBD391; Origin: MADURAI; Destination: AYODHYA / CHITRAKOOT / Gaya / HAMPI / JANAKPUR (NEPAL) / NANDIGRAM / NASIK / PRAYAGRAJ / SHRINGAVERPUR / SITAMARHI / VARANASI; Boarding Points: Madurai, Dindigul, Tiruchchirappalli, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai Jn, Chidambaram, Cuddalore Port, Villupuram Jn., Chennai Egmore, Katpadi Jn, Jolarpettai Jn, Yesvantpur, Arsikere Jn., Davangere, Hubballi Jn., Gadag; De-boarding Point: Vijayapura, Gadag, Hubballi Jn., Davangere, Arsikere Jn., Yesvantpur, Jolarpettai Jn, Katpadi Jn, Chennai Egmore, Villupuram Jn., Cuddalore Port, Chidambaram, Mayiladuthurai Jn, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Tiruchchirappalli, Dindigul, Madurai.

The Package cost is Rs 14, 490; approximately 195 USD.

Tourists are advised to keep the Vaccination Certificate or RT-PCR negative report (less than 48 hrs prior to the journey date),. For More Information Click The Link : https://www.irctctourism.com/

  • Ram Consciousness

The world needs Ram Consciousness. Ram Consciousness is the life lessons of Prabhu Ram’s life. I may mention four:

  1. Mother is above all else.
  2. Motherland is above all else.
  3. ‘Maryada’ (Code of Conduct/ Self- Discipline) is above all else.
  4. Dharma (Duty to self, family and society) is above all else.

For more life lessons of Prabhu Ram’s life, may please see, “The Real Story of Deepavali” in kreately.in

  • Global Village

We now live in a global village; thanks to information and communication technology. When millions of earthen lamps were lit in Ayodhya on the occasion of Deepavali 2021, world saw the mesmerizing pictures and it entered Guinness Book of World Record. May please see: Ayodhya’s ‘Deepotsav’ enters Guinness Book of World Records with nine lakh earthen lamps lit on the occasion of Deepawali; (https://www.opindia.com/2021/11/ayodhyas-deepotsav-this-year-creates-world-records-with-9-lakh-diyas/)

I am going there next spring. See you there! Jai Shri Ram.

Notes:

  1. It is based on my presentation at the webinar ‘Swadesh Deepavali Laghu- katha organized by Swadesh Group of Newspapers’ for Indian and Nepalese short story writers’, on November 14, 2021.
  2. ‘Prabhu’ is a term used in Hindu culture as a sign of respect for the divine personalities.

DISCLAIMER: The author is solely responsible for the views expressed in this article. The author carries the responsibility for citing and/or licensing of images utilized within the text.