RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday said the date of the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya should be celebrated as "Pratishtha Dwadashi" as the "true independence" of Bharat, which faced "parachakra" (enemy attack) for several centuries, was established on this day.
Also read: Ayodhya celebrates first anniversary of Ram Lalla idol consecration with grand festivities
An idol of Ram Lalla was consecrated at the grand Ayodhya temple on January 22, 2024, in a landmark event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, as per the Hindu lunar calendar, the consecration ceremony was completed on January 11, 2025.
Also read: Climate protestors deface Darwin’s grave with ‘1.5 is dead’ over climate crisis
Bhagwat asserted that the Ram temple movement was not started to oppose anyone.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief insisted this movement was started to awaken the "self" (swa) of Bharat so that the country could stand on its own feet and show the path to the world.
He was speaking after presenting the "National Devi Ahilya Award" to Champat Rai, general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, in Indore.
Bhagwat pointed out there was no discord in the country during the consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya last year.
Also read: Who is Nawaf Salam? ICJ president turned Lebanon's new prime minister
After receiving the award, Rai declared he was dedicating this honour to all known and unknown people of the Ram Mandir movement who helped in building the grand Ram temple in the Uttar Pradesh town.
Referring to different phases of struggles faced by the movement, Rai said the temple was a symbol of "Hindustan ki Moonchh (moustache)" (the national pride) and he was just a medium for its construction.
The prestigious award is given every year by the Indore-based social organization, "Shri Ahilyotsav Samiti", to prominent persons in recognition of their contribution to different social spheres.
Also read: Maha Kumbh 2025: Over 15 million take holy dip on first day of world's biggest spiritual gathering
Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan is the president of this organisation.
Addressing the gathering, Mahajan said a grand memorial dedicated to Devi Ahilyabai, the iconic ruler of the former Holkar dynasty of Indore, will be built in the city so that people become familiar with her life character.
Over the years, the National Devi Ahilya Award has been given to well-known personalities like Nanaji Deshmukh, Vijaya Raje Scindia, Raghunath Anant Mashelkar, and Sudha Murty.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.