Earthen lamps lit in the premises of Badrinath and Gopinath temples in Uttarakhand
8:48 PM
Many injured in clashes over Ram temple celebration in Assam's Sonitpur: Police
Several persons were injured in a clash between two communities in Assam's Sonitpur district on Wednesday after a bike rally was organised by Bajrang Dal activists to celebrate the foundation stone laying ceremony of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, officials said.
To control the situation, police fired in the air and deployed additional forces after many bikes and other vehicles were burnt, they said.
The incident took place when a large number of bikers were heading to a Shiv temple in Bhora Singori in the Thelamara police station area, playing loud music and shouting slogans.
8:29 PM
Narendra Modi becomes first PM to visit Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday became the first Indian premier to visit the Ram Janmabhoomi and the Hanumangarhi temple, according to a statement issued by the Uttar Pradesh government.
Modi on Wednesday laid the foundation of the Ram temple in Ayodhya after offering prayers at the Hanumangarhi temple, news agency PTI reported.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first prime minister to visit Hanumangarhi. He also became the first prime minister to visit the 'Shree Ram Janmabhoomi'," the statement said.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first prime minister to participate in the grand beginning of a temple, which symbolises conservation of the country's cultural heritage," it added.
8:16 PM
A digital billboard of Ram Mandir comes up in New York’s Times Square
8:15 PM
People light earthen lamps at Ram Ki Paudi on the occasion of 'Bhoomi Poojan' of Ram Temple in Ayodhya
7:51 PM
Lord Ram our 'Imam-e-Hind', temple will be symbol of brotherhood: Muslim devotees
Hailing Lord Ram as "Imam-e-Hind" (prelate of India), some Muslim devotees of Lord Ram watched the entire bhoomi pujan ceremony in Ayodhya on Wednesday live on their TV sets as they could not go there due to the coronavirus health protocols.
Underlining the country's tradition of syncretic co-existence, they said once the coronavirus situation improves they would visit the temple site and offer their services in its construction.
"It is a moment of joy for us. We' are kar sevaks and consider Lord Ram as 'Imam-e-Hind', Raja Raees, the president of Sunni Social Forum (an organisation working for the Muslims) told PTI on Wednesday.
7:46 PM
Ayodhya lit up on the occasion of 'Bhoomi Poojan' of Ram Temple
7:42 PM
Ram Temple will strengthen peace, humanity in country: Assam CM
The Ram Temple will strengthen peace and humanity in the country, said Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday.
"It's a very important day for us. People were waiting for many years for Ram Temple on Ram Janmabhoomi. Today that dream has come true. We are proud of PM Modi who has fulfilled this dream. This temple will strengthen peace and humanity in the country," Sonowal told ANI.
Nine bricks were laid down as part of the 'bhoomi pujan' at the site for Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya today. Prime Minister Modi took part in 'bhoomi pujan' for the construction of Ram temple.
7:35 PM
UP CM Yogi Adityanath lights firecrackers at his official residence in Lucknow as part of 'deepotsav'
7:24 PM
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat performs aarti at the banks of Saryu river in Ayodhya
7:24 PM
Clashes in West Bengal over Ram temple celebrations amid Covid-19 lockdown
BJP workers clashed with police in some parts of West Bengal on Wednesday over celebrating the groundbreaking ceremony of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, amid a total lockdown in the state, officials said. Clashes were reported from Kharagpur in West Midnapore district, Narayanpur in North 24 Parganas, and Alipurduar town in north Bengal, among others.
A procession by BJP workers to mark the day was stopped by police in Kharagpur, leading to a scuffle.
7:06 PM
Sun sets in Ayodhya as devotees gather to perform aarti at the bank of Saryu river
6:52 PM
Foundation stone laying of Ram temple a happy moment for every Indian: Haryana CM
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday described the laying of foundation stone of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as a happy and historic moment for every Indian.
He also said that with the laying of the foundation stone, the dreams of crores of Lord Ram's devotees have come true.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday performed the 'bhoomi pujan' of a Supreme Court-mandated Ram temple in Ayodhya, bringing to fruition the BJP's 'mandir' movement that defined its politics for three decades and took it to the heights of power. In a series of tweets on the occasion, Khattar said, "This happy moment is historic for every Indian."
6:32 PM
Ram Temple 'bhoomi pujan' a golden occasion, follows years of struggle: Uttarakhand CM
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Wednesday said the 'bhoomi pujan' for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is a "golden occasion" that has come after years of struggle, fulfilling dreams of thousands who sacrificed their lives for the construction of the temple.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday performed the 'bhoomi pujan' of a Supreme Court-mandated Ram temple in Ayodhya, bringing to fruition the BJP's 'mandir' movement that defined its politics for three decades and took it to the heights of power.
After watching live telecast of the event, Rawat said, "The golden occasion has arrived after years of struggle. Thousands of people sacrificed their lives for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya. Their dream is being fulfilled with the ground breaking ceremony of the temple."
It will bring peace to the soul of thousands of people who sacrificed their lives for it, he said.
5:53 PM
Artist from Bengaluru creates a portrait of Lord Ram using a manual typewriter
The three-day Vedic rituals at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya began on Monday and end with bhoomi poojan today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Ram Mandir, which is likely to be constructed just before 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Modi was among the 175 people present at the ceremony. He shared the dais with just four other people — RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, trust chief Nritya Gopaldas Maharaj, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, and CM Yogi Adityanath.
Eight priests from Ayodhya, five each from Varanasi and Delhi, and three from Kamikochi in Tamil Nadu, performed the rituals at Ram Janmabhoomi for the construction of the temple.
 "Ayodhya Ram Mandir LIVE updates: Congratulations Ram Bhakts, says PM Modi")
