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Ayodhya Ram Mandir photos: Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the 'bhoomi pujan' of a Supreme Court-mandated Ram temple in Ayodhya, bringing to fruition the BJP's ‘mandir' movement that defined its politics for three decades and took it to the heights of power. The ground-breaking ceremony by Prime Minister Modi for the temple's construction, in the presence of leading lights of Hindutva movement including RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, is being held on a day which coincides with the first anniversary of the annulment of Article 370, a key ideological plank for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Let us take a look at images from the main event:
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Sending out the message that "Ram is everywhere, Ram belongs to all", Modi said the temple symbolises India's rich heritage and will be an inspiration for all of humanity. (PTI Photo)
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Wearing traditional dhoti-kurta, the prime minister performed the 'bhoomi pujan'. (Image: Twitter/BJP4India)
Despite efforts to eradicate Lord Ram's existence, he lives in our hearts and is the basis of our culture, Modi said. (AP Photo) -
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were among those who attended the event at the site where a large number of devout Hindus believe Lord Ram was born. (Image: Twitter/BJP4India)
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Bhajans and ‘shlokas' were heard as the town, festooned with marigold flowers and yellow and saffron flags, celebrated the beginning of the construction of a grand Ram temple. (Image: Twitter/BJP4India)
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The construction of the Ram temple is an instrument to unite the country, Modi said, adding that it will lift the economy of the entire region. (AP Photo)
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The guest list, including religious leaders who formed part of the movement that started in the 1980s, was restricted to 175 in view of the COVID-19 crisis. (Image: Twitter/BJP4India)
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As a priest chanted Sanskrit ‘shlokas' and the ground-breaking ceremony got under way under a giant marquee decorated in shades of reds and yellows, Modi and the other dignitaries, all in masks, maintained social distancing and sat a safe distance away from each other. (Image: Twitter/BJP4India)
Slogans of ‘Bharat Mataki Jai' and ‘Har Har Mahadev' went up as the ritual ended and the prime minister laid the foundation of the temple. (Image: Twitter/BJP4India) 
PM Modi arrived in Ayodhya in a helicopter where Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath received him. (PTI Photo) -
Ayodhya: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath being greeted by Yoga Guru Ramdev during the function ahead of the inception of Bhoomi Pujan for the construction of Ram Temple, in Ayodhya. (PTI Photo)
Priests gather for groundbreaking ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya. (AP Photo) 
Wearing traditional dhoti-kurta, PM Modi leaves for Ayodhya. (Image: Twitter/PMO India)
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