President Droupadi Murmu arrived at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on the first day of Navratri. She offered prayers and paid her respects to Ram Lalla. She also installed the 'Shri Ram Yantra' in the Ram Darbar, located on the second floor of the temple complex. Additionally, she toured the Ram Temple premises. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath briefed the President on the ongoing construction activities related to the temple.
The President remarked, "Lord Shri Ram was born in Ayodhya. It is a privilege for me to set foot on this sacred land." The President arrived at the Ayodhya airport from Delhi at approximately 10:30 AM. Upon her arrival, she was welcomed by Governor Anandiben Patel and the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath observed, "While turmoil prevails across many nations of the world and wars are being waged, India remains a beacon of peace. This represents the new and transforming India." Taking a dig at the Samajwadi Party (SP), he added, "The very faith that was once disparaged as 'superstition' has now been vindicated. The very individuals who once mocked this faith are the same ones who previously held political power in Uttar Pradesh and at the national level. For them, even the mere mention of the Ram Temple, the Kashi Vishwanath Dham, or the holy sites of Mathura and Vrindavan was synonymous with superstition."
This marks the President's second visit to Ayodhya since the *Pran Pratishtha* (consecration ceremony) of Ram Lalla. Her previous visit took place on May 1, 2024, during which she offered prayers at both Hanuman Garhi and the Ram Temple. After spending approximately five hours in Ayodhya, the President is scheduled to depart for Mathura at 3:00 PM. In Mathura, she will visit the ISKCON temple and the Prem Mandir. On Friday, March 20, she is scheduled to meet with Premanand Maharaj.
**About the Ram Yantra**
The Ram Yantra was crafted at a *math* (monastery) located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. Subsequently, it was transported from Kanchipuram to Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. From there, it was brought to Ayodhya via a ceremonial *Rath Yatra* (chariot procession), arriving ten days ago. The Ram Yantra weighs 150 kilograms and features a gold plating.
Raghunath Das Shastri, an astrologer from Ayodhya, explained:
"The Ram Yantra is a unique Vedic geometric structure. It serves as a vessel for the divine energy of Lord Shri Ram and other deities, channeled and enshrined within it through the power of mantras and sacred geometric patterns. It is revered as a symbol of immense auspiciousness and spiritual energy." President States: Stepping onto Ram Janmabhoomi is a Privilege
The President remarked, "Lord Shri Ram was born in Ayodhya. Stepping onto this sacred land is a privilege for me. Lord Ram himself described his birthplace as being even greater than heaven. The city of Ayodhya holds a place of utmost affection in the hearts of all devotees of Ram."
She added, "An artistic depiction of Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya—accompanied by Mother Sita and his brothers—following his victory over Lanka can be found within the pages of our Constitution. I derive immense joy from beholding this image."
She continued, "On the occasion of the *Pran-Pratishtha* (consecration ceremony), I wrote a letter to the Prime Minister, stating that the construction of the Ram Temple—and the opportunity to witness it—is a privilege for us all. We are steadily advancing toward the realization of a developed nation. We are poised to achieve this objective by the year 2040, or perhaps even sooner."
The President concluded, "The nation is moving in the very direction of the 'Ram Rajya' (ideal governance) that Tulsidas envisioned in the *Ramayana*. By the grace of Lord Shri Ram, the popularity of the Ram Temple continues to soar. I pray to the Lord that He may continue to shower His blessings upon all the citizens of this country."
