Prime minister Narendra Modi performed the pran patishtha ceremony for the new idol of Lord Ram and with this inaugurated the new temple in Ayodhya. This, he said, was the beginning of a new epoch.

The ceremony, during which the new idol was unveiled, began at 12.05 and concluded around 12.55, in which Modi was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Then, Modi broke his fast, which was part of the 11-day purification ritual Modi had undertaken.

Then, he proceeded to address the gathering of the invitees. He began by saying, in Hindi, that “our Ram has finally arrived today. Our Ram has come after centuries of waiting, centuries of patience, sacrifice and penance.”

Modi said: “January 22 is not a date written on a calendar but the beginning of a new epoch.” He also thanked “countless karsevaks and countless sages, thanks to whom we could see this day”.

Taking note of the religious fervour witnessed in the country ahead of this event, he said, “The coming age is the age of success (for India). This temple will be witness to India’s rise.”