Shankaracharya's Stand on Ram Temple Sparks Nationwide 'Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra'

Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati of Jyotirmath, Uttarakhand, refrained from offering prayers at the partially-constructed Ram temple in Ayodhya. He stressed that worship can only occur once the temple's shikhar is complete. Saraswati launched the 'Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra' to advocate for cow protection laws.

Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati of Jyotirmath, Uttarakhand, abstained from paying obeisance at the Ram temple on Sunday, stating that prayers cannot be offered in a partially-constructed shrine.

The religious leader declared he will only offer worship at the Ram temple when its 'shikhar'—the topmost part—is fully built.

While addressing reporters, Saraswati reiterated his stance, saying, 'Prayers cannot be offered in a partially-constructed temple. It is incomplete. I will offer worship at the Ram temple only when the shikhar of the temple is fully constructed.' He conducted a special prayer at the Chineshwarnath temple and performed the circumambulation of the Ram Janmabhoomi complex along Ramkot locality in Ayodhya.

Saraswati also kicked off a nationwide 'Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra' from Ayodhya.

In a congregation convened in the presence of seers from Ayodhya, Saraswati called for the constitutional enshrinement and enactment of laws to ensure the protection of cows.

Addressing the gathering, he remarked, 'In our country, the cow is revered as Gau Mata. However, it is unfortunate that the country that worships the cow is also the second-largest exporter of cow meat in the world.' He urged the government to ban cow slaughter, adding, 'Our yatra will traverse various regions of the country, with prominent mahants and the masses joining us.'

(With inputs from agencies.)