India’s Ayodhya temple will bring sacred soil from Thailand

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Widespread interest is being generated by the upcoming January 22 grand opening of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, which is being linked to a number of noteworthy events and promotions that are making headlines. Thailand’s Ayutthaya has declared its intention to donate soil for the temple’s consecration ceremony on January 22, 2024, a move that represents the widespread appeal of Lord Ram’s descent.

Thailand has a long history of exchanging cultures; earlier, the nation sent water from two of its rivers to be used at the temple. Now, it has decided to provide soil for the ceremony. The deep historical ties between Ayodhya and Thailand—more specifically, the Thai city of Ayutthaya—are highlighted by this gesture. The monarchs of Ayutthaya, who were referred to as “Ramatibodhi” (Lord Rama), underscore the historical significance of the city by connecting it to the Ayodhya portrayed in the Ramayana.

Furthermore, Ramkeen, the Thai religious text that is comparable to the Ramayana, is highly esteemed in Thai society. The Ramkeen, which is thought to have been written by King Rama I in the 18th century, is compared to Valmiki’s Ramayana with Thotsakan, who is similar to Ravana as the main antagonist, and Phra Ram, who is the protagonist and represents the ideals of Ram, as discussed in A.K. Ramanujan’s “300 Ramayana.” The vast expanse of the ancient Thai Ayodhya site is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The founder and global chairman of the World Hindu Foundation, Swami Vigyanananand, emphasized the close cultural ties that exist between Thailand and India. He emphasized that the connection is rooted in a long-standing historical and cultural relationship and goes beyond the exchange of soil. He pointed out that Thai kings’ titles reflect the custom that they are thought to be the descendants of Lord Rama.

Swami Vigyanananand conveyed his happiness regarding the forthcoming consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and mentioned that the event would be televised live from Bangkok. Hindus from all over the world are anticipated to attend the event and engage in spiritual exercises including kirtans, bhajans, pujas, and recitations. Preparations for the occasion include distributing pictures of Ram Lalla’s birthplace to conference participants, building a duplicate of the Ayodhya temple in Bangkok, and providing prasad from Ayodhya. 

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