<\/p>\n
India\u2019s Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a temple on Monday that embodies the triumph of his muscular Hindu nationalist politics, galvanising loyalists in an unofficial start to his re-election campaign this year.<\/p>\n
Modi, in flowing golden-coloured traditional dress, unveiled the black stone idol to the deity Ram in the heart of the 50-metre temple, built on grounds where a mosque stood for centuries before it was torn down in 1992 by Hindu zealots incited by members of his party.<\/p>\n
That demolition triggered the worst religious riots since independence \u2014 killing 2,000 people, most of them Muslims \u2014 and shook the foundations of India\u2019s officially secular political order.<\/p>\n
Outside, tens of thousands of chanting and dancing devotees waving flags, honking horns and beating drums, packed the streets of the northern town of Ayodhya, as military helicopters showered flower petals from the sky.<\/p>\n
Few members of Ayodhya\u2019s Muslim community were seen joining the jubilant street party, and opposition leaders are reported to have stayed away.<\/p>\n
But for Modi\u2019s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the opening of the Ram Mandir temple is a landmark moment in a decades-long campaign to align the country\u2019s governance with its majority faith.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Lord has made me an instrument to represent all the people of India,\u201d Modi said ahead of the \u201causpicious\u201d opening, as he prayed at the feet of the human-sized statue, garlanded in flowers and draped in jewels.<\/p>\n
Excitement reached a fever pitch, with thousands of Hindu believers dancing in packed streets as giant loudspeakers blast out religious tunes.<\/p>\n
Vijay Kumar, 18, took four days to reach the town after walking and hitchhiking 600 kilometres.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just wanted to be here,\u201d Kumar said. \u201cWe just wish to see the temple before we leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
About 2,500 musicians are performing on over 100 stages for the crowds of pilgrims around the elaborate temple, built at an estimated $240 million that the project\u2019s backers say was sourced from public donations.<\/p>\n
The 140 kilometres between the town and Uttar Pradesh state capital Lucknow is a seemingly endless stream of billboards of blue-skinned Ram with bow and arrow \u2014 as well as of Modi and the region\u2019s chief minister, the saffron-robed Hindu monk Yogi Adityanath.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all because of Modi,\u201d said Prem Sharan, 35, a resident of Ayodhya.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome critics say that it is being turned into an election-like atmosphere; so be it. At least they are doing what they promised and one needs the power to do things for the people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other attendees jetted into the newly built international airport and will stay at a crop of hotels built to cater to the millions of pilgrims expected to visit each year.<\/p>\n
Among the celebrity guests due at the opening were Indian tycoons, former national cricket captain Virat Kohli and Bollywood titan Amitabh Bachchan.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
India\u2019s Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a temple on Monday that embodies the triumph of his muscular Hindu nationalist politics, galvanising loyalists in an unofficial start to his re-election campaign this year. 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