Temple town erupts in joy

HOPE REKINDLES Saints and commoners feel the verdict will pave way for early construction of Ram temple

AYODHYA : The temple town of Ayodhya erupted in joy after the Supreme Court on Thursday declined to refer a 1994 verdict, which held that mosque is not essential to Islam, to a constitutional bench.

The ruling rekindled hope among saints and commoners that a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya would be a reality soon.

Since Thursday morning, saints in ashrams across the town at Karsevakpuram and at historic Hanuman Garhi temple were glued to their TV screens for any update on the verdict.

At the Ram Ki Paidi ghat on the banks of river Saryu, a large number of saints gathered for a discourse on Ram Mandir issue.

As the news broke that the apex court had declined to refer the 1994 Ismail Faruqui case to the constitutional bench, seers and commoners were up in jubilation.

Temple bells started ringing and sweets were distributed at ashrams.

In a departure from tradition, main doors of thousands of temples dotting Ayodhya were opened in the afternoon.

Normally, doors of the temples are closed in the afternoon as it is believed in Hindus that the presiding deity takes a nap at the time.

At Karsevakpuram and Mani Ram Das Chhawni Peeth, from where the activities of Ram Mandir Nyas are run, the apex court’s decision was construed as a victory and final push for the Ram temple in Ayodhya here.

At the historic Ram Ki Paidi ghat, Ayodhya Prasad, 75, was ecstatic after hearing the order from saints who had gathered there in large numbers.

“Now, it seems that Ram temple will be constructed in Ayodhya,” said Prasad.

Special evening payers were offered at the oldest temple of Lord Hanuman at the Hanuman Garhi temple.

Mahant Ramesh Das, the head priest of the Hanuman Garhi temple, led the prayer ceremony.

A large number of people had gathered at the temple to attend the prayer.

“It seems even Lord Ram wants a temple at his birthplace. Finally, Lord Hanuman has listened to our prayers and has paved way for construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya,” said Das.

His junior, Mahant Raju Das, was busy making arrangements at the temple on Thursday evening for the special prayer ceremony.

“Now, construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is just a matter of time,” Mahant Raju Das said.

The Supreme Court’s ruling in the (1994) Ismail Faruqui case will have no bearing on the pending title suit . We want the court to expedite hearing in the case and give an early decision so that politics on the issue stops. Early decision will ensure peace in the country IQBAL ANSARI, son of late Hasim Ansari, a litigant in Ayodhya case