Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hoisted a saffron flag atop the Ram Temple in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya, marking a historic moment in the shrine's inauguration as it formally signalled the completion of the temple complex.
The ceremonial flag hoisting by PM Modi was done in an unconventional manner, unlike traditional flag-hoisting, where a rope is pulled downward to unfurl the flag. Rather, an automated system was used for the hoisting.
After the Vedic rituals were performed, PM Modi, accompanied by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, walked to a podium, where a hand in a 'Namaskara' pose was placed beside the folded flag.
By moving the symbolic hand towards the flag, the two leaders activated the mechanism that hoisted it atop the temple, according to a report by NDTV.
Following the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi said, "This Dharma Dhwaja is not just a flag. It is the flag of the rejuvenation of Indian civilisation. The saffron colour, Suryavansh's insignia, 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... For the coming thousands of centuries, this flag will proclaim Lord Ram's values."
According to a report by the Hindustan Times, the automatic flag hoisting system was installed at the temple with the help of the Indian Army. The system was connected to a computerised control unit.
Key features of the flag:
The saffron flag measures 22 feet by 11 feet and is made of parachute-grade cloth with a thick nylon hoisting rope. It now stands atop a 161-foot spire on the temple.
The flag features symbols including the Sun, representing Lord Ram's Surya Vansh lineage, the sacred 'Om', and the Kovidara tree, which is described as the state tree of Ram Rajya.
Seven artisans spent 25 days hand-stitching this sacred emblem from aviation-grade parachute nylon and silk. The flag withstands winds up to 60 kilometers per hour per recent reports, according to Economic Times. It resists intense sunlight, heavy rainfall, and humidity fluctuations, per Ahmedabad manufacturers.
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