The hoisting of the saffron flag atop the Shikhar of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya marked a monumental milestone as Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed the ceremonial Dhwaj Arohan on November 25, 2025. Performed on Vivah Panchami—symbolizing the divine union of Lord Ram and Sita—the event carried deep spiritual resonance. The 22-by-11-foot, 11-kilogram flag, adorned with golden emblems of the Sun, Om, and the Kovidar tree, crowned the 191-foot Nagara-style shikhar before thousands of devotees and national leaders. It was not only a religious ceremony, but also a powerful symbolic act closing one of India’s longest civilizational chapters and opening another.
The Journey of Building the Ram Mandir
The making of the Ram Mandir has been a transformative journey woven through centuries of cultural assertion, legal battles, mass movements, and political realignments. Beginning from medieval contestations to the 20th-century mobilizations, and culminating in the 2019 Supreme Court verdict, the temple’s construction has embodied India’s complex socio-historical evolution.
When the foundation stone was laid in 2020 and construction commenced under the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the temple became both a symbol and a site of national introspection—touching issues of faith, identity, law, and collective aspirations. The completion of the temple in 2025 represents not merely an architectural achievement but the culmination of a sustained cultural and spiritual quest spanning generations.
Analysis: Symbolism, Politics, and National Identity
The Dhwaj Arohan ceremony stands at the intersection of faith, symbolism, and national narrative. PM Modi’s address framed the moment as the healing of “centuries-old wounds,” portraying the temple as a beacon of values such as courage, unity, and righteousness. His articulation positioned the Ram Mandir not simply as a spiritual structure, but as a cultural anchor for a 21st-century India seeking continuity with its civilizational ethos.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s remarks expanded this vision further, linking the flag hoisting to Ayodhya’s transformation—urban redevelopment, spiritual tourism, and emerging energy sustainability projects such as its evolution into a solar city. His emphasis on Ramrajya values placed the event within a broader ideological narrative of governance rooted in righteousness, justice, and community upliftment.
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat offered historical depth by highlighting the 500-year struggle behind the temple, underscoring sacrifices and leaders who shaped the movement. By calling the saffron flag the “Dharma Dhwaj” and urging unified national effort, Bhagwat framed the event as both culmination and calling: the end of a collective struggle and the beginning of a renewed civilizational responsibility for India.
Together, these narratives demonstrate how the hoisting of the flag transcends religious ritual, reflecting India’s attempt to harmonize cultural revival, political identity, and national ambition.
The Temple’s Future and the Meaning of the Moment
The saffron flag atop the Ram Mandir signals the close of a centuries-long chapter and the beginning of a new national storyline. Beyond its devotional significance, the temple is poised to shape Ayodhya’s economic development, India’s cultural diplomacy, and future dialogues on heritage, identity, and unity.
As India steps into this new era, the Ram Mandir will likely serve as a touchstone for spiritual rejuvenation and civilizational confidence—anchoring collective aspirations while inviting reflection on how ancient values can guide a modern nation. The journey ahead will determine how this monumental achievement contributes to shaping a cohesive, forward-looking India grounded in its timeless cultural spirit.
(With agency inputs)
