In photos: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a gigantic new temple in the Indian city of Ayodhya
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened a controversial Hindu temple built on the ruins of a historic mosque in the northern city of Ayodhya, in a political triumph for the populist leader who is seeking to transform the country from a secular democracy into a Hindu state.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arrives to lead the opening of a temple dedicated to Hinduism’s Lord Ram in Ayodhya, India.Rajesh Kumar Singh/The Associated Press
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the opening of the grand temple of the Hindu god Lord Ram in Ayodhya, India.Reuters
A view of the audience during the opening of a temple dedicated to Hinduism’s Lord Ram in Ayodhya, India.Rajesh Kumar Singh/The Associated Press
Indian industrialist Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita Ambani attend the opening of a temple dedicated to Hinduism’s Lord Ram in Ayodhya.Rajesh Kumar Singh/The Associated Press
Hindu holy men throng to get the first look of the temple dedicated to Hinduism’s Lord Ram soon after its inauguration.Rajesh Kumar Singh/The Associated Press
Hindu holy men attend the opening of a temple dedicated to Hinduism's Lord Ram in Ayodhya, India.Rajesh Kumar Singh/The Associated Press
A man stands next to a rangoli of Hindu deity Lord Ram and the Ram temple created to celebrate the opening of the temple.FRANCIS MASCARENHAS/Reuters
Hindu devotees light earthen lamp at Raghutnath temple in celebration of the grand opening of a temple dedicated to Hindu deity Lord Ram.Channi Anand/The Associated Press
A Rapid Action Force member guards a street during the inauguration of the Hindu Lord Ram temple on a big screen, in Ayodhya.ADNAN ABIDI/Reuters
An Indian Air Force helicopter showers flower petals during the opening of a temple dedicated to Hinduism’s Lord Ram in Ayodhya.Rajesh Kumar Singh/The Associated Press
Children dressed as Hindu deities take part in an event to mark the consecration of Ayodhya Ram temple.GAGAN NAYAR/Getty Images
People celebrate the opening of the grand temple of the Hindu god Lord Ram in the northern town of Ayodhya, in a street in New Delhi.ANUSHREE FADNAVIS/Reuters
Supporters of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party celebrate as they watch a live stream of the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, outside the BJP headquarters in Mumbai.FRANCIS MASCARENHAS/Reuters
Hindu devotees stand on a road side during the inauguration of the Hindu Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya, India.ADNAN ABIDI/Reuters