Introduction
The Ayodhya land dispute case was going on for many years. Finally, the verdict of this case was given in favor of Hindus on November 9, 2019 CE by a 5-judge constitution bench. The decision was made based on a study and research report on the land of this temple and the remains of the mosque.
After this historic decision, the date of August 5, 2020 CE was recorded in golden letters. In the hands of Shri Narendra Modi the foundation ceremony was carried out, then the construction of Ram temple started in Ayodhya.
History of Rama Temple of Ayodhya
But do you know, how much history is there behind this miracle that we are witnessing? In this article we are going to see the history of the Rama temple of Ayodhya.
Disputes over the Temple
In this history of the temple, there were many disputes sometimes over the place, sometimes over worship and sometimes over the remains of the temple. Accordingly, temporary solutions were also drawn on it according to the time.
But this land dispute was not so easily resolved. But how did this question arise? To get the answer to this we have to understand the 496 years of the history of Ayodhya.
According to local people, this temple was first built by a son of Rama, Kush at his birthplace. It has since been restored many times. There are records of its restoration by King Vikramaditya in the 5th century BCE.
You may also be interested in reading the complete life story of Shivaji Maharaj who made way of Hindavi Swarajya, just like Rama crafted his way to of Dharma.
Demolition of Rama Temple of Ayodhya

The general of Babar, Baqi Tashqandi, was also known as Mir Baqi. According to an inscription found in the ruins of the Babri Masjid, this Mir Baki destroyed the Rama temple on the orders of Babur and built a three-domed mosque in its place. The mosque was named Babri Masjid after the name of Babur.
According to my online literary research and according to Kishore Kunal, author of the book “Ayodhya Revisited”, this inscription is fake and Babur never came to Ayodhya, he never ordered to demolish the temple and build a mosque in its place.
Rama Temple was demolished long after the reign of Babur in 1660 CE.
At that time, Aurangzeb was ruling, and Fedai Khan was the governor of Ayodhya. Fedai Khan, on order of Aurangzeb, demolished the temple and built a large three-domed mosque here.
One of the reasons why this claim seems correct to me is that the reign of Babur in India was very short of only four years. So probably it is not enough time for him at his time to explore, demolish and build new structure in such short reign. So it does not seem to have happened in his time.
According to TimesOfIndia, all rulers from Babar to Shah Jahan were religiously liberal to some extent. After Aurangzeb ascended the throne, however, he adopted a hard-line Muslim policy. So after coming to the throne, he started forcibly converting other religions, destroying temples and vandalizing temples.
Therefore, the destruction of the Rama temple in Ayodhya and the construction of the mosque in its place must also have taken place during this period.
As the court needs evidence in place, so the court considered the report on the inscription as evidence and gave this important decision.
Efforts of Rajput King Jai Singh II
Rajput king Jai Singh II knew the importance of this place to Hindus. So, in 1717 CE, he tried to Mughal Emperor Farrukh Siyar to get possession of this place.
At that time, while their relationship with Mughal was good, he still did not get that place. Therefore, he built a Rama Chabutra near the mosque, so that the Rama devotees can worship at least in Ayodhya.
Claims of Hindu Organizations
Then, around 1813 CE, these Hindu organizations first claimed that Babur demolished the temple and built a mosque in place of the Rama temple.
The British authorities of Faisabad also speculated that on this place of mosque previously there must have been a temple, as Hindu artifacts were found in their reports.
Senior advocate Vaidyanathan submitted the report of Montgomery Martin to the court. According to the survey of Babri Masjid in his book, he said that the pillars were not seems to be of Muslim architecture.
According to him, the pillars of the temple itself must have been used in the construction of the mosque.
Important events happened after the claim of Hindu Organizations
Ayodhya’s history is marked by its profound religious significance and a series of legal and communal events that have shaped its modern narrative. Here’s a detailed chronology of the events surrounding the Ayodhya dispute, reflecting on its complexities and culminating in the construction of the Rama Temple.
Early Disputes and Legal Actions
- 1853 CE: During the reign of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the first major riot occurred at this historically contentious site.
- 1859 CE: The British constructed a fence around the area, segregating spaces for Hindu and Muslim worship.
- 1885 CE: Mahant Shri Raghuveer Das of Nirmohi Akhara petitioned to build a roof over Rama Chabutra but was denied by the court.
Mid-Twentieth Century Controversies
- 1949 CE: The discovery of an idol of Lord Rama inside the mosque escalated the dispute, leading to a halt in Muslim prayers at the site.
- 1950 CE: Nirmohi Akhara’s court petition sought rights for Hindu worship and the placement of the idol, marking a significant legal step in the dispute.
- 1961 CE: UP Sunni Waqf Board demanded the removal of the idol and return of the mosque site.
Escalation and National Impact
- 1984 CE: The formation of a committee by Vishwa Hindu Parishad to establish a temple at the disputed site.
- 1986 CE: Local court order unlocked the disputed structure, allowing Hindu worship.
- 1992 CE: The demolition of Babri Masjid by Hindu activists triggered nationwide communal riots and subsequent legal battles.
- 2002 CE: The Godhra train burning and the Gujarat riots further deepened communal tensions.
Judicial Proceedings and Resolution
- 2010 CE: Allahabad High Court’s verdict to divide the land into three parts was contested and led to a Supreme Court stay.
- 2017 CE: Out-of-court settlement efforts were encouraged but failed to resolve the dispute.
- 2019 CE: The Supreme Court undertook daily hearings in August, leading to a landmark judgment in November. The court awarded the land to the Hindu party but also allocated separate land for the construction of a new mosque.
Final Settlement and Construction of the Temple
- 2020 CE: The historic Bhoomi Pujan for the Rama Temple was performed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the commencement of temple construction after nearly three decades of legal disputes.





This timeline encapsulates the series of events that not only highlight the dispute’s religious and legal facets but also its impact on communal harmony and political landscape in India.
On this occasion, RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and many Rishi-Muni including 175 other important persons were invited. After first visiting Hanumangadhi, Modi participated in the Bhoomi Pujan program of Rama Temple.
How to Reach Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya: A Guide
Ayodhya, a city steeped in cultural and religious significance, is now easily accessible by various modes of transportation. Whether you’re traveling by air, rail, or road, reaching Ayodhya and the revered Shri Ram Temple is convenient for both domestic and international pilgrims. Soon, the city will also be reachable by waterways, further enhancing its connectivity. Below is a detailed guide on how to reach Ayodhya:
By Air
Maharishi Valmiki International Airport (IATA: AYJ, ICAO: VEAY) is the closest airport located right in Ayodhya Dham. For those coming from farther afield, the Lucknow Airport is another viable option, situated just 150 km west of Ayodhya. From both airports, taxis and jeeps are readily available to transport you directly to the city.
Airlines Operating | Cities Connected |
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SpiceJet, IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air, Alliance Air, Zooom Air | Bangalore, Delhi, Gwalior, Kolkata, Pune, Dehradun, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Darbhanga, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Mumbai, Patna |
By Train
The Ayodhya Railway Station is a pivotal junction in North India, providing excellent rail connectivity. It is conveniently located less than two kilometers from the Ram Janmbhoomi Temple, making it an easy final leg of the journey for train travelers.
Key Rail Connections: Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Gonda.
By Road
To accommodate the influx of devotees, the Ayodhya Dham Bus Station has been recently inaugurated. This modern facility provides enhanced service and comfort for those arriving by bus.
Contact Information | Details |
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Ayodhya Bus Stand | 7752951415 / 6306757599, 05278222964 |
Official Site | UPSRTC Enquiry |
Helpline Number | 1800-180-2877 (Available 24×7) |
Service Note: Intercity AC e-bus services are available throughout the city, ensuring a smooth transit to the Ram Janmbhoomi Temple.
These various transportation options make visiting Ayodhya and the Shri Ram Temple a journey that is both spiritual and hassle-free. Whether arriving by air, train, or road, the city is equipped to welcome its visitors with open arms and provide a memorable pilgrimage experience.
Images Credits
Ram Temple Replica Model, Credit: DTM, Source: Wikimedia