Heavy pre-monsoon rains in Ayodhya have exposed infrastructure flaws, causing flooding, waterlogging, and even affecting the newly inaugurated Ram Mandir. The temple’s roof is leaking, and the city’s streets are submerged, raising concerns about hasty construction and inadequate planning.
The roof of the newly constructed Ayodhya Ram Mandir is reportedly leaking, causing concern over the temple’s construction process and casting doubt on the July 2025 completion deadline. The chief priest, Acharya Satyendra Das, expressed surprise and concern over the leakage, highlighting the lack of proper drainage and raising questions about the quality of the construction. He emphasized the need for immediate action and investigation to address the issue, particularly considering the potential impact on prayer rituals as rainfall intensifies.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has emerged victorious in the recently concluded Lok Sabha Election 2024, surpassing the majority mark of 272 seats. However, the saffron party fell short of its target of winning 370 seats on its own and securing over 400 seats with its allies. Despite a loss of 63 seats compared to its 2019 tally, the BJP claimed a significant victory, with 240 seats under its belt. The Indian National Congress (INC) made significant gains, winning 99 seats, but remained the largest opposition party. The election results have been met with mixed reactions from foreign media, some noting a decline in support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party and the end of an era of invincibility. The BJP’s loss in the Ayodhya constituency, where the prestigious Ram Mandir project is located, has been seen as a particular setback. The outcome is expected to herald a return to coalition politics in India, with challenges ahead for the government in terms of passing legislation and managing different interests.
On the occasion of Buddha Purnima, numerous devotees visited the Ram Mandir temple in Ayodhya on May 23. Additionally, videos shared by news agencies captured devotees taking sacred dips in the River Ganga in Prayagraj and the River Yamuna in Haridwar. Buddha Purnima, also known as Buddha Jayanti or Vesak, is an annual celebration held on the first full moon of the Vaishakha month in the Hindu calendar. This auspicious day marks the birth of Lord Gautam Buddha, who was born as Prince Siddhartha Gautam in Lumbini, present-day Nepal, around 563 BC.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan expressed profound serenity after visiting the newly consecrated Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Having frequented the holy city before, Khan highlighted his close proximity as a resident of Bahraich. The visit marked his first formal darshan, evoking a sense of tranquility and collective celebration nationwide. His presence was captured in a post on the Kerala Raj Bhawan’s social media account, depicting Khan’s reverence before the idol of Ram Lalla amidst chants of ‘Jai Shree Ram.’
A recent attempt to use scientific expertise in a religious ceremony in India has sparked a debate on the role of science and religion in the country. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) was involved in designing a system of lenses and mirrors for the ‘surya tilak’ project in the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, leading to objections from some scientists who argued that it impinged on the commitment to ‘scientific temper.’ While some have argued that the involvement of astrophysicists in a religious event is problematic, others have emphasized the historical accommodative approach of Indian science, citing examples such as the Calendar Reform Committee that sought to put India’s local calendars on a more scientific footing while retaining their Indianness. This debate highlights the unique relationship between science and religion in India and the challenges of navigating these two spheres in a changing society.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a scathing attack on Congress leaders, accusing them of running away from Lok Sabha elections and seeking refuge in the Rajya Sabha. Modi specifically targeted AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, who lost the 2019 Lok Sabha election in his home turf of Kalaburagi and was later elected to the Rajya Sabha as Leader of Opposition. Modi also criticized the Congress and its allies for rejecting the invitation to the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, calling it an insult to Lord Ram and the decades-long struggle for the temple’s construction. Additionally, he condemned the Congress for its association with the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and for its opposition to the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has launched a scathing attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP)-Congress alliance in Uttar Pradesh. Speaking at an election rally in Kasganj, Shah accused Congress of being a ‘factory of lies’ and criticized Akhilesh Yadav’s caste-based politics. He also praised former Chief Minister Kalyan Singh for his dedication to the backward classes and the Ram temple’s welfare. Shah emphasized the importance of Ram temple construction, highlighting the contrast between those who fired on Ram devotees in the past and those who worked towards its completion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took aim at the Congress party on Tuesday for skipping the recent ‘pran pratistha’ ceremony at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. During a public rally in Chhattisgarh, Modi said that the Congress ‘thinks it is bigger than Lord’, highlighting their absence from the historic event. He also asserted that despite threats to ‘break his head’, he remains protected by the support of the nation’s mothers and sisters.
