Ayodhya Ram Mandir (Bharat's Quest for Ram-Rajya)

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Lord Ram, an inextricable part of the collective memory of Indian civilization, is a symbol of righteousness and justice. The essence and significance of Ram have been understood instinctively for centuries in the Indian subcontinent and beyond. Ayodhya Ram Mandir: Bharat's Quest for Ram-Rajya captures the ancient sacred city of Ayodhya at a critical juncture of transformation with the construction of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. The book explores the life and legends of Lord Ram popular in India and across the globe, while recounting the 500-year-long struggle for the reconstruction of Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya until the matter was judicially resolved in 2019. It encapsulates the emergence of the city on the international tourist map as it reclaims its name with vigour-a land free of conflict, embodying peace and prosperity within its boundaries.

Swadesh Singh is an author, teacher and activist. Educated at Jawaharlal Nehru University and Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi, his professional experience spans more than 15 years during which he has worked with reputed media organizations in the national capital. He currently teaches Political Science in Delhi University. He has four books to his credit and regularly writes for newspapers, online platforms and academic journals.

The secret to human survival lies in its faith, its belief in the very existence and power of a saviour. Every era searches for this one ideal figure, someone who can be loved and followed by the masses. It is a rare occurrence in any epoch to stumble upon such a figure; rarer are those figures that remain relevant across ages. Through the journey of one of the oldest civilizations in documented history, followers of Hinduism have relied upon one such ideal to help them navigate the grey areas of human morality. Leading by example, Lord Ram has transcended time and space as the ideal man-the Maryada Purushottam (the most dignified man). It is thus no surprise that since time immemorial, he has been accorded the status of God.

Ram is a devoted son, a brave warrior and, above all, an ideal king whose reign stands as a symbol for impeccable governance, and his kingdom represents a utopian state, the Ram-Rajya. The lettered read about it in the Ramayana, the unlettered hear of it through word of mouth. Regardless, all worship Lord Ram.

Valmiki's Ramayana gave us our idol whose journey became an integral lesson for the Hindu way of life. His story resonated with learned men and women. It crossed the seven seas, along with worshippers who took a little of him, Sita and Ayodhya with them wherever they went.

Today, Ram's followers at home in India to Suriname on the other side of the globe-pay salutations to the divine power. The cultures and religious beliefs of several countries resonate with the preachings of Ramayana and that of Lord Ram. This holds especially true for the South Asian countries of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, which are closely associated with the divine story, each finding mention in the main epic as either the place of origin for various characters or as the setting of various scenes.

Ram is an inalienable part of the living civilizational memory of South Asia and Southeast Asia. The ideals of Ram are celebrated and worshipped in countries like Indonesia, Mauritius and Thailand, placing him at the core of our lives and cultural memory. For instance, the ruling royal family of Thailand (Chakri dynasty) has adopted 'Rama' as the monarchy's nomenclature-the current king is known to his people and the world as King Rama X.