Ram temple’s ‘Surya dhwaj’: 22‑foot nylon‑silk flag weighs just 2.5 kg, engineered to brave storms

Ayodhya (The Uttam Hindu): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today ceremonially hoisted the "Dharma Dhwaj" (the flag) atop the magnificent Ram Temple in Ayodhya. This flag, hoisted atop the temple's highest peak, is unique not only for its grandeur but also for its distinctive features. Specially designed by artisans in Ahmedabad, the flag is inspired by the Valmiki Ramayana and Vedic traditions. With the unveiling of the flag, another chapter has been added to the divinity and grandeur of the Ram Temple.

The flag hoisted at the top of the Ram Temple is 22 feet long and 11 feet wide. It is made from a special polymer fabric made of nylon and silk, making it extremely light yet strong. Its total weight is only 2.5 kilograms, while the previous flag weighed 11 kilograms. The artisans have designed it to withstand extreme heat, heavy rain, and even stormy winds of up to 60 kilometers per hour. According to the temple administration, a new flag will be hoisted at the top every three years.

This flag is also called the "Surya Dhwaj" because it bears the image of the Sun God, the symbol of the Surya dynasty. Each symbol on the flag has deep religious and historical significance. It also depicts the "Kovidar tree," a symbol of Rama's kingdom, described in the Valmiki Ramayana, and the "Omkar," a symbol of harmony. The saffron color of the flag represents righteousness, renunciation, purity, and spiritual power, while the wheel at its center represents justice and dynamism. All these symbols are closely linked to the life and ideals of Lord Shri Ram.

Gujarat, and especially Ahmedabad, has played a significant role in the construction and decoration of the Ram Temple. Not only the Dharmadhwaj, but many other important items for the temple were also crafted in Ahmedabad. These include the temple's largest drum, made by the Dabgar community, the flagpoles for the main temple and the other six temples, temple bangles, donation boxes, the brass cupboard housing the deity's jewelry, and door hardware. With the hoisting of the Dharmadhwaj at the summit today, the craftsmanship of Ahmedabad's artisans has also been utilised for Ram's work.