Feb 5, 2019, 2:32 PM IST
Prayagraj: For ascetics and holy men at the ongoing Kumbh Mela, the event has been one of the best yet. While many give props to the government for being more involved and for better amenities, the perennial dispute of the Ram Mandir seems to be overriding everything.
"This is probably the first time at Kumbh when the Prime Minister himself came to inaugurate the event. This just gives a very positive message to the world that our cultural roots run deep and makes them realise the values of the Sanatan Dharma," says Shivyogi Mauni Swami, who has been attending the Kumbh since 1980.
However, he did point out that while many issues such as cleaning river Ganga have been addressed, the government continues to shy away from the topic of Ram Mandir. "If the government continue to leave such an important issue such as Ram Mandir unattended, all the good that has been done will fade to nothing. They have shown extreme strength to bring about constitutional reforms but I feel that they could have done more as far as this issue is concerned," he says.
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And, Mauni Swami is not alone. The Mahamadeleshwar of Shri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara, Swami Shaileshanand Giri also seconds him. "We advocate profoundly the Panch Parmeshwar justice. At the lower court itself there should be a jury, at the session court itself there should be a jury. At least five judges should be there so we get five opinions and true justice would prevail. And we know very well, justice delayed is justice denied," he says.
The Ayodhya dispute is probably one of the closely-watched debates in the country today. According to Ramayana Lord Ram's birthplace is on the banks of river Sayayu in Ayodhya. Many claim that during the Mughal invasion, a Hindu shrine was demolished to construct a mosque, the Babri Masjid in 1528–29. This site is touted to be the exact site of his birthplace with many archaeological excavations indicating the presence of a temple beneath the rubble.
This triggered widespread religious riots in 1992 with the demolition of Babri Masjid and continues to remain a controversial subject.
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As of now, a fresh petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Acquisition of Certain Area At Ayodhya Act, 1993 according to which, the central government had acquired around 67 acres of land adjacent to the disputed site.
In such a scenario, the holy men are seeking closure in their own way. While some are relying on discourses, discussions and publishing international research papers, others like Shivyogi Mauni Swami are seeking help from the otherworld. This entails daily prayers offered to shivling made of 33,000 rudraksh, yagya and lighting 33,000 diyas every day. Their belief? Once a total 11 lakh lamps in a month are lit, the construction of Ram Mandir will begin.
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