Ayodhya After Two Years of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha: How The Holy City Has Changed

As

chants of 'Jai Shri Ram' echoed across Ayodhya on January 22, 2024, during the pran pratishtha of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, it felt as though history had finally completed an unfinished sentence. Centuries of waiting, decades of political debate and years of legal battles converged into a single defining moment.Yet today, two years after the consecration, standing in Ayodhya offers a clearer picture. The Ram Temple fulfilled a historical promise.

From Sanctum to Ram Darbar

Over the past two years, the Ram Temple has not merely been established, it has evolved in form and meaning. Construction of the upper floors is now complete and the first floor houses the Ram Darbar, where Lord Ram is enshrined alongside Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman.This depiction represents Raja Ram, not just the forest, dwelling ascetic, but the embodiment of righteous kingship and moral governance. The temple is no longer a single-layered symbol of faith, it has emerged as a multi-level spiritual and architectural landmark.

A Rs 1,600-Crore Complex: From Shrine to Cultural Icon

As the temple marks the third anniversary of Ram Lalla’s consecration, the entire complex now stands as a grand, organised, and spiritually charged space. Built at a cost of approximately Rs 1,600 crore, it has transformed into a major centre of Sanatan culture, a living example of Indian architectural excellence and a model of modern religious management.

What Has Changed at the Ram Janmabhoomi Complex?

• Completion of the main temple
• Darshan of Ram Lalla in child form in the sanctum
• Installation of the Ram family on the first floor
• An 800-metre-long parikrama wall housing temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Ganesha, Surya, Hanuman, Goddess Bhagwati and Annapurna
• The temple spire now bears the sacred ‘Om’ symbol and a ceremonial flag inspired by the kovidar tree

Ramayana Comes Alive in Stone

The complex also reflects inclusivity and narrative depth. Temples dedicated to Maharishi Valmiki, Vishwamitra, Vashishtha, Agastya, Nishadraj, Ahalya, and Shabari now stand within the premises, giving tangible form to the philosophical and moral universe of the Ramayana.

Infrastructure Grows Alongside Faith

Ayodhya’s transformation extends well beyond the temple walls. Over the last two years, large-scale infrastructure development has reshaped the city:

• 100-foot-wide Ram Janmabhoomi Path
• Streamlined darshan corridors
• LED information displays
• Permanent canopies
• Clean drinking water facilities
• Modern sanitation
• Wheelchair access for persons with disabilities
• Locker facilities for footwear and belongings
• A pilgrim facility centre accommodating 25,000 people
• A modern hospital
• Upgraded airport and railway station
• Ayodhya today is not just a pilgrimage town, it has become a well-planned religious city.

A Global Spiritual Destination

Ayodhya is also drawing international attention. Foreign diplomats, representatives from Buddhist nations, Indo-Pacific cultural envoys and delegations of the Indian diaspora now visit regularly. Hosting foreign guests has become part of diplomatic protocol.After Kashi and Ujjain, Ayodhya has secured a permanent place on the global religious map. The Ram Temple now stands as a symbol of India’s enduring spiritual soft power.