Amid chants of Vedic hymns Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation of Ram temple at the site in Ram Janmabhoomi complex believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram in Ayodhya thus announcing a formal launch of the construction of the temple.
“Nine shilas (bricks) with gold, silver and precious stones embedded on them were worshipped and are laid as foundation,” Mahant Kamal Narain Das said.
A 40 kilograms silver plaque with details of the Ram temple movement and details of construction inscribed on it was worshipped and would be fixed at the main wall of the temple.
Champat Rai, general secretary of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust announced that in 1989 Ram Bhakts had donated 2.75 lakh bricks for the construction of the temple. “We chose 9 from them and these were used to lay the foundation today,” he said.
The foundation stone was laid exactly at 1244 hrs with slogans of ‘ Jai Shree Ram’ and ‘ Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ filling the air fter almost 30 minutes of Puja. The priest who conducted the Puja also narrated in detail the importance of the Ram temple,  the Ram Rajya and how a 500-year-old dream of Hindus was fulfilled today.
Before the groundbreaking Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at the make-shift Ram Lalla temple, thus became the first prime minister of the country to offer prayers at the temple.
The bhoomi pujan ceremony was attended by select people which included UP Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat besides Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Thirath Khetra Trust members.
LK Advani, 92, and Murli Manohar Joshi, 86, the two BJP stalwarts who had led the campaign to build the temple in its early days, are said to have watched the live telecast of the event because of the coronavirus pandemic. Home Minister Amit Shah, watched the event from his bed in a Gurugram hospital where the 55-year-old top BJP leader was admitted last week due to the virus.
After the ritual was over, the PM also put ‘’Tika’’ on his forehead  and recited the mantras after the priests praying to all the God and Goddess for the completion of the Ram temple and well being of the universe.
Rai said that during the ground breaking ceremony soil and holy water from several religious places across India were collected. “We have received over 2000 earthen pots carrying holy water of various rivers and boxes carrying soil sent from various Hindu temples and Gurudwaras across India to bless the upcoming temple,” he said.
Rai said that Temples in the United States, Canada and Caribbean Islands held a virtual service to celebrate the occasion. He said over 2000 temples in Ayodhya have also joined in the celebrations by lighting lamps and chanting religious hymns.
President of India Ramnath Kovid said in his tweet: “Felicitations to all for the foundation laying of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Being built in tune with law, it defines India’s spirit of social harmony and people’s zeal. It will be a testimony to ideals of Ram Rajya and a symbol of modern India.”
The construction of the temple will be completed within 3 and half years. The original design for the Ram temple was prepared in 1988 but was changed in 2020 after the Court ruled in favour of Hindus. Chandrakant Sompura, the main architect of the temple said that as per new design Ram temple will be 235 feet wide, 360 feet long and 161 feet high. “The temple complex will have a prayer hall, a lecture hall, educational facility, saints residence and a hostel for visitors. It will have other facilities like a museum and a cafeteria,” he said.
“Once complete the temple complex will be the world’s third largest Hindu shrine,” Sompura said.