New Delhi, Jan. 22: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the majestic Ram Mandir in Ayodhya capping centuries of struggle to build the temple to the deity at his birthplace and hailed the moment as epoch-changing, one that will herald the rise of a new, grand and prosperous Indian nation.

Addressing invitees after the consecration of the Ram idol, the prime minister of India said the temple was the legacy of centuries of wait. He saluted the sacrifice of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement participants while describing the temple as a symbol of Indian society’s “harmony, patience and resilience”, adding: “Today is a moment of victory as well as affection.”

In his hour-long remarks, the prime minister lamented wastage of years in legal battles to build the temple and questioned the opposition for stoking fears over the issue.

“Lord Rama’s image adorns the very first page of the Indian Constitution. Yet legal battles had to be waged to prove His existence even after the adoption of the Constitution. I thank the judiciary for saving the dignity of justice,” Modi said referring to the 2019 Supreme Court judgment that handed over the possession of the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi Babri Masjid site to Hindu petitioners enabling the construction of the Ram temple.

According to the Indian Media, The PM also launched veiled attacks on the opposition forces saying, “Some people used to say the construction of the temple would stoke fires. Today we can see for ourselves that the Ram Mandir is not a source of fire but of energy. Lord Rama is not dispute; he is the solution… the very foundation of India, our very philosophy,” the prime minister said amid nationwide celebrations to mark the day.

Noting ongoing global festivities to mark the day, Modi said the Ram temple was not just only a temple to the deity but also a temple to Indian thought and approach.

“In the consecration of Lord Rama idol today, we have also consecrated the spirit of Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam and unshakable faith in the high Indian civilizational values,” Modi said adding that January 22 would mark the rise of new India rooted in its culture but aiming for the skies.

He said today’s date would be discussed even a thousand years later.

Modi also took the occasion to urge citizens to expand their approach and thought as a new era awaits the nation.

“Today I can sense that the tide of time is turning. We have the good fortune to sculpt a new path. From today onwards, let’s pledge to lay the foundations for the next 1,000 years of India’s journey and to build a new India. The construction of Ram Mandir is an occasion for us to expand our thoughts beyond self -- Dev se desh aur Ram se rashtra ki chetna ka vistaar,” the PM urged.

Explaining the elements of Ram Rajya, the prime minister said everyone was equal and everyone was “ours”.

Earlier, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also called for bitterness of the past to be buried and for communal harmony to lead India’s imminent rise as the Vishwaguru.