Grand Indian Hindu Temple Triumphantly Rises on Historic Mosque Grounds, Fulfills Modi's Pledge

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is nearing the fulfillment of a ten-year-old electoral commitment, as it was announced that a contentious new Hindu temple will be inaugurated on disputed grounds in January. On Thursday, the initial comprehensive portrayals of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir were unveiled, revealing the opulently adorned edifice that is presently under construction on the former location of the Babri Masjid, which was demolished by radical Hindu groups in 1992.

Located in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, in the sacred city of Ayodhya, the temple's interiors will be embellished with golden bars and artwork that pays tribute to India's rich diversity, stated Nripendra Misra, the chairman of the committee overseeing the temple's construction.

Hindu fundamentalists demolish the wall of the 16th century Babri Masjid mosque in the city of Ayodhya in 1992.

Douglas E. Curran/AFP/Getty Images

The BJP, a Hindu nationalist party led by Modis, has long campaigned for the construction of a temple at the site. This site holds significance for devotees as they believe it to be the birthplace of Lord Ram, a highly revered Hindu deity. On the other hand, Muslims assert their claim to the land due to the presence of a mosque built there in 1528. Many Hindus, however, believe that the Babri Masjid was erected on the remains of a Hindu temple, purportedly destroyed by Babar, the first Mughal emperor of South Asia.

The inauguration of the temple is anticipated to provide a boost to Modi's party as the election approaches, fulfilling a promise he made to his supporters almost ten years ago. Nevertheless, Misra stated that the date of its inauguration is completely unrelated to the upcoming national elections.

"We are moving to January because the sun is on the south," he said, adding its an auspicious time for the shrine to open.

Disputed land

The disputed site of the temple has been a source of conflict between Hindus and Muslims for a significant period. In the past, it housed the Babri Masjid, a mosque built in the 16th century. Infamously, in 1992, right-wing Hindu mobs vandalized the mosque using hammers and their own hands, leading to widespread communal violence that resulted in the deaths of over 2,000 individuals across the country.

Dozens of places of worship, including temples and mosques, became the targets of retaliation in a wave of revenge attacks that ensued after the destruction of the mosque. These tragic events triggered outbreaks of sectarian violence, which were among the most severe since India's abrupt and violent partition following the departure of its British colonial rulers in 1947.

Hindu fundamentalistsclimb the dome of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya to demolish the structure on December 6, 1992.

Sondeep Shankar/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

In the years that followed, Hindu nationalists mobilized to construct the Ram Mandir on the land, leading to an intense and highly charged confrontation that spanned almost three decades.

Prominent proponents of the temple's establishment included Modi and his political party, BJP, who strategically leveraged the issue to garner backing from the Hindu population, accounting for approximately 80% of the country's 1.4 billion inhabitants.

In 2019, the Supreme Court of India, following a lengthy legal dispute, authorized Hindus to construct a temple on the disputed site, thereby resolving the conflict. This outcome was celebrated as a triumph by Modi and his followers, yet it deeply disappointed many Muslims who continue to feel a sense of unease over the destruction of the Babri Masjid. At the time of the Supreme Court's decision four years ago, Modi expressed that it marked the beginning of a new era for the country.

The new temple

During his Thursday briefing, Misra provided in-depth explanations of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir's design, spanning from the idols intended for placement within the structure to the origin of the construction materials. The temple, being built by Indian engineering company Larsen and Toubro, occupies a 2.67 acre (1.08 hectares) plot within a larger 70-acre (28 hectares) complex. Misra further revealed that artists from various regions across the country have been chosen to produce artwork and murals that highlight India's cultural diversity.

Three sculptors have been given the responsibility of sculpting murals depicting Lord Ram, and one of these murals will be selected to be placed inside the sanctum sanctorum. In addition, the temple will be adorned with gold bars crafted by renowned Indian jewelers. According to Misra, the temple anticipates welcoming approximately 100,000 devotees daily, resulting in limited access to the sanctum sanctorum, allowing each individual only about 20 seconds due to high demand.

An artist's impression of the temple's interior provided to CNN by the temple's committee on September 14, 2023.

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust

The temples construction is expected to cost about 15 billion rupees ($180 million), Misra said.

The government has failed to allocate funds for its establishment, he stated, noting that donations amounting to approximately 30 billion rupees ($361 million) have been gathered for the complex.

Ayodhya, a historic city with a population of around 76,000 in Uttar Pradesh, holds great significance as a Hindu pilgrimage destination and attracts millions of visitors annually.

Ayodhya has recently undergone significant infrastructural upgrades, which include the completion of a new international airport set to open in November, as reported by Misra. Local media sources have also mentioned the restoration of several of the city's historic and religious sites, with plans for the improvement of its roads and railways.

Political analysts have observed that Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and a staunch Hindu monk, has implemented a dual approach of economic reform and religious polarization in order to garner votes.

At the same time he has implemented policies that critics say favor Hindus and discriminate against minorities, particularly Muslims.