'Ayodhya witness to awakening of Hindu consciousness': PM Modi's top quotes at Ram Temple flag hoisting ceremony

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hoisted the saffron flag atop the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.

After hoisting the saffron flag atop the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple,  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said Ayodhya became a witness to India's cultural awakening, Hindu consciousness.

The right-angled triangular flag, measured 10 feet in height and 20 feet in length. Bearing the image of a radiant Sun symbolising Lord Ram’s valour, an ‘Om’, and the Kovidara tree, the flag will was hoisted atop a ‘shikhar’ built in the traditional Nagara architectural style. The ceremony marked the end of the temple construction. The ceremony took place on the auspicious Vivah Panchami of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Margashirsha, coinciding with the Abhijit Muhurat of Ram and Sita’s wedding, a day signifying divine union.

Here are PM Modi's top quotes at the event.

-- "This Dharma Dhwaja is not just a flag. It is the flag of the rejuvenation of Indian civilisation. The Saffron colour, Suryavansh's signia, the 'Om' word, and the Kovidara tree impersonate Ram Rajya's glory. This flag is a resolution, a success, a story of struggle to creation, a physical form of the struggle of 100s years... For the coming thousands of centuries, this flag will proclaim Lord Ram's values... Truth is Dharma... There should be no discrimination or pain, and there is peace and happiness... There should be no poverty, and no one is helpless..."

-- "Today marks the completion of a centuries-long yajna, whose sacred flame burned for 500 years without wavering in faith or devotion. The divine energy of Lord Shri Ram now stands enshrined in the form of this dharma-dhwaj at the grand temple. This flag is not merely a symbol, it represents the resurgence of Indian civilisation.”

-- "Today, Ayodhya stands witness to a historic moment of cultural awakening. The nation and the world are immersed in devotion to Lord Ram. Every Ram bhakt’s heart is filled with deep satisfaction, immense gratitude, and divine joy as centuries-old wounds are healing.”

-- "I urge every citizen to visit the Sapt Mandapam when they come to the Ram Temple. These mandaps strengthen the values of faith, friendship, duty and social harmony. Our Ram unites through emotion, not division, what matters to him is devotion, not lineage.”

-- "Our Ram doesn't discriminate, and we too are moving forward with the same spirit."

-- "By 2047 when we complete 100 years of India's Independence, we will have to ensure a developed India."

-- "A few days ago, I said that in the next 10 years, our target is to free India from the mentality of slavery. Unfortunately, the impact of what Macaulay had envisioned became even wider. We attained independence, but we could not free ourselves from the sense of inferiority. We began to believe that anything of foreign origin is superior, and what is ours is inferior. It was said that our Constitution was inspired by foreign constitutions, but the truth is that India is the mother of democracy. Democracy is in our DNA."

-- "Since the Pran Pratistha, nearly 45 crore devotees have visited the Ram Temple. This sacred land has witnessed arrivals of 45 crore people, bringing significant economic transformation to Ayodhya and nearby areas.”

-- "This flag will provide a glimpse of Ram Lalla's birthplace from afar and will convey the commands and inspirations of Lord Shri Ram to all humankind for ages to come. I extend my heartfelt greetings to the millions of Ram devotees across the world on this unforgettable moment... I also salute all the devotees today. I express my gratitude to everyone who contributed to the construction of the Ram Temple. I congratulate every labourer, artisan, planner, architect, and worker involved in the construction of the Ram Temple."