In a historic celebration resonating across continents, the consecration of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya transcended geographical boundaries, with countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, New Zealand, Mexico, Mauritius, Fiji, and others in India’s northern and southern neighbourhoods organising events to commemorate this historic milestone. As the world united in reverence, Ayodhya’s praan pratishthaa ceremony became a shared cultural experience, resonating with people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs.
Unfolding in an atmosphere of unity and shared respect, it underscored broad-based support across religious and cultural spectra. This tacit backing was evident through the absence of discord and collective participation in commemorating the occasion, serving as a testament to the inclusive spirit prevailing in India. Muslims refrained from holding any protest rallies, with some even actively celebrating the event. Sending a message of Hindu-Muslim unity, a Muslim woman in Firozabad named her newborn “Ram Rahim”.
Therefore, the coverage of the event by the majority of the global media was generally impartial, except for a few instances where efforts were made to sow discord against the Hindu community. However, the negative narrative that attempted to inject a sense of apprehension and concern among Muslims, suggesting potential tension arising from the inauguration of the Ram temple by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, found no traction given the broader participation abroad to mark the praan pratishthaa in Ayodhya.
In Paris, the Ram Mandir inauguration featured a unique Ram Rath Yatra. In Queretaro in Mexico, the first Lord Ram temple received a proud reception on the Ayodhya event day. Devotees and the Indian diaspora gathered at Times Square, New York, for live-broadcasted prayers, car rallies, and events celebrating Ram Lalla’s consecration. Times Square became a central focal point, adorned by images of the Ram Mandir on the NASDAQ screen, with laddoos distributed by the Overseas Friends of Ram Mandir.
In Houston, the Hindus of Greater Houston organised an event uniting members from various countries venerating Lord Ram. Los Angeles hosted a grand car rally.
After the praan pratishthaa ceremony in Ayodhya, the World Hindu Council of America and Vishwa Hindu Parishad of Canada announced a yatra covering over 1,000 temples.
In New Zealand, Indian communities led processions symbolising Lord Ram’s arrival in Ayodhya. In Trinidad and Tobago, 5,000 individuals joyously sang popular Ram songs at cultural events.
Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth granted a special leave for two hours to Hindu public servants for prayers marking this “landmark” inauguration. In Fiji, the Ram Lalla Utsav from January 18-22 commemorated the inauguration with fervour, organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji.
Even in Denmark, devotees joyfully danced at a local temple preceding the Ram temple’s Ayodhya inauguration. The global resonance of this historic event, marked by diverse celebrations and displays of devotion, reflects the unity of communities honouring Lord Ram’s consecration.
