On November 25, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Dhwajarohan Utsav (flag-hoisting ceremony) at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, marking the formal completion of the temple’s construction. This event, attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Governor Anandiben Patel, involved hoisting a 22-foot by 11-foot saffron Dharma Dhwaja (religious flag) atop the temple’s 161-foot spire.
The flag, made of parachute-grade cloth with motifs of the Sun (symbolizing Lord Ram’s Suryavanshi lineage), Om, and the Kovidara tree (linked to Ayodhya’s ancient traditions), was raised during the auspicious Abhijit Muhurat on Vivah Panchami.
What made the ceremony distinctive was the absence of a traditional rope-pull or electronic switch. Instead, Modi and Bhagwat guided a symbolic brass hand in a Namaskara (prayerful greeting) pose on a podium, which activated an automated electronic mechanism to elevate the flag.
This innovative blend of ritual gesture and technology symbolized a harmonious fusion of ancient devotion and modern engineering, as described in media reports.
Symbolic Significance of the Mechanism
The choice of mechanism was not merely logistical but deeply layered with meaning:
Cultural and Spiritual Depth: The Namaskara pose evoked humility and reverence, aligning with Sanatan Dharma’s emphasis on non-violent, prayerful action. Modi described the flag as more than fabric—it represents “the rejuvenation of Indian civilisation,” the “triumph of truth over falsehood,” and the ideals of Ram Rajya (governance rooted in justice, dignity, and ethical rule).
He termed the hoisting the “poornahuti” (final offering) of a 500-year yajna (sacred fire ritual), healing “centuries-old wounds and pain” from historical conflicts, including the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition.
Modern Twist: By avoiding manual labor (rope) or overt technology (switch), it projected India as a nation bridging heritage and progress—a “New India” where development synergizes with cultural pride. Yogi Adityanath echoed this, calling the flag a beacon of “faith, dignity, truth, justice, nationalism, and the aspiration for a Viksit Bharat” (Developed India).
This approach amplified the ceremony’s emotional resonance, with Modi visibly emotional—his hands reportedly trembling—evoking goosebumps among devotees and reinforcing the event as a “civilizational moment.”
Impacts
The ceremony’s impacts span cultural, social, and political realms, given its timing amid ongoing national discourse on heritage and secularism.
Positive Outcomes:
Immediate surge in national discourse on Ram Rajya as a governance model, inspiring calls for ethical leadership and heritage preservation. Devotees and allies like JD(U) hailed it as a “symbol of religious tradition and faith,” welcoming the Supreme Court-backed temple’s completion. It also enhanced Modi’s image as a “custodian of Hindu aspirations,” potentially aiding BJP’s 2029 Lok Sabha campaign.
Negative Repercussions:
Opposition backlash intensified: Congress’s Rashid Alvi accused Modi of violating secularism by hoisting a “religious flag” for “political benefit,” questioning if similar acts would occur at mosques or churches. SP MP Awadhesh Prasad claimed exclusion due to his Dalit identity, sparking a row that BJP dismissed as “baseless and political.”
Global and minority voices raised alarms over “international concern” for Indian minorities, potentially straining India’s secular image abroad. Satirical posts mocked the event as sowing “sorrow” among non-Hindus, highlighting deepening communal fault lines.
Short-term: Heightened security in Ayodhya and social media polarization, with “Leftist-Islamist” critiques trending alongside celebratory hashtags.
Conclusions
The flag hoisting, through its innovative mechanism, transcends a mere ritual to embody India’s evolving identity: a nation reclaiming its spiritual roots while embracing technological prowess. As Modi articulated, “If India is to become developed by 2047… we must awaken the ‘Ram’ within ourselves” and take pride in heritage to propel progress. This event concludes a chapter of historical contention but inaugurates an era of cultural resurgence, as Yogi Adityanath noted: “not the conclusion but the beginning of a new era.”
For proponents, it affirms the triumph of faith and justice; for critics, it underscores the need for vigilant secularism. Ultimately, it cements Ayodhya as a global symbol of devotion, with lasting echoes in India’s socio-political landscape—fostering pride for millions while challenging the republic to balance unity with diversity. Jai Shri Ram, as echoed nationwide, may yet inspire a more inclusive Ram Rajya for all.
