Ayodhya: Thousands of devotees flocked to the gates of the Ram Mandir complex in Ayodhya, eagerly seeking entry to the newly inaugurated temple. The public opening came a day after the consecration of the new Ram Lalla idol, drawing massive crowds that posed a challenge for security personnel composed of both police and paramilitary forces.

The devotees, some queuing up since late Monday night, faced difficulties as they pushed and shoved towards the temple, with at least one person fainting in the commotion. As the morning progressed into the afternoon, the crowd swelled to several hundred thousand, waiting in the cold for hours before the grand temple’s doors finally opened.

Chanting “Jai Shri Ram” and carrying flags depicting Lord Ram, the devotees expressed their joy at witnessing the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the landmark consecration ceremony on Monday, emphasizing the need to go beyond the temple’s construction and build a “strong, capable, and divine” India for the next millennium.

Invited guests, including seers, had a ‘darshan’ (sacred viewing) of the deity after the consecration ceremony, while the general public gained access on Tuesday morning. Some devotees had been camping in Ayodhya for days, making arduous journeys to reach the temple town.

Among the crowd was Nitish Kumar, who cycled over 600 kilometers from Bihar, expressing hope for a chance to have ‘darshan.’ Groups of people, including those who undertook ‘padyatras’ (foot journeys), were seen marching towards the temple, with devotees sharing stories of their journeys and dedication to Lord Ram.

The gates of the temple, adorned with flowers and lights, became selfie spots for the devotees. Inside, the echoing chants of “Jai Shri Ram” filled the grand halls of the temple complex. The traditional Nagara-style temple spans 380 feet from east to west, 250 feet wide, and will rise to 161 feet at the ‘shikhar,’ supported by 392 pillars and featuring 44 doors.

While lakhs of people watched the consecration ceremony on television, Prime Minister Modi declared January 22, 2024, as the beginning of a new era. He performed rituals in the sanctum sanctorum and expressed joy that after ages of waiting, “our Ram has arrived” to reside in a magnificent temple, marking the culmination of the decades-long Ram Janmabhoomi movement.