“Ayodhya is the Cradle of Civilisation” – Manoj Sinha
“The protection of the nation is possible only through the ideals of Lord Ram” – Pujya Mahant Shri Kamal Nayan Das Ji Maharaj
– Grand inauguration of ‘Ayodhya Parv’ 2026 at IGNCA
3rd April, New Delhi:
The three-day ‘Ayodhya Parv 2026’, organised by Ayodhya Nyas in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), was inaugurated with great dignity and grandeur at the IGNCA premises. The inaugural session was graced by the chief guest, Pujya Mahant Shri Kamal Nayan Das Ji Maharaj of Maniramdas Chhavani, Ayodhya. The occasion also witnessed the distinguished presence of the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha; Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Diya Kumari; and senior pracharak and thinker of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Shri Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi. Also present were IGNCA Chairman Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, Member Secretary Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, convenor of Ayodhya Parv Shri Lallu Singh, and former Rajya Sabha MP Shri Ashok Vajpeyi. The festival features a series of exhibitions, including the ‘Ramotsav’ photo exhibition, the ‘Badi Hai Ayodhya’ exhibition, and an exhibition dedicated to the eminent Ramkatha scholar, the late Pandit Ramkinkar Upadhyay.
The inaugural session presented the rich cultural traditions and spiritual consciousness of Ayodhya through multiple dimensions. In his benedictory address, Mahant Shri Kamal Nayan Das Ji Maharaj emphasised that the ideals of Lord Ram offer the highest path for society. He stated that Ram Rajya is not established through the attainment of power alone, but through mutual love, harmony, and the absence of enmity. He further noted that the incarnation of the divine is meant for the moral education of society, and that these ideals must be embodied in daily life to nurture compassion, harmony, and dharmic values.
Shri Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi reflected on the continuity of Indian traditions and their re-establishment in contemporary society. He remarked that the present times suggest that it is not merely Ram in Ayodhya, but Ayodhya as shaped by Ram. He noted that the construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in the centenary year of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is a significant coincidence. According to him, the temple’s construction marks not merely the building of a structure, but the beginning of nation-building, with Ayodhya as a centre of divine energy.
On this occasion, Shri Manoj Sinha stated that Ayodhya should not be viewed merely as a geographical entity or solely as the birthplace of Lord Ram, but as the consciousness that emerged from His advent. He described Ayodhya as the cradle of civilisation and a city where history has shaped itself. While many cities have faded into the passage of time, Ayodhya has remained beyond its currents, continuing to represent both present and future consciousness.
Ayodhya is not merely a historical city, but the foundational source of India’s cultural consciousness, self-awareness, and civilisational continuity. It reminds us that traditions are not relics of the past, but living forces that shape the future. In the context of global transformations, it becomes evident that the true strength of any nation lies in its cultural roots and values, and Ayodhya stands as a powerful symbol of this truth. It teaches that progress does not mean abandoning one’s roots, but advancing while remaining anchored in them. Ayodhya is not only a centre of faith, but also a living embodiment of duty, dignity, compassion, and a balanced vision of life, inspiring both external development and inner reflection. It has the potential to emerge as a significant centre of India’s cultural energy, global identity, and soft power. It also conveys that governance is a means of service and that the purpose of life extends beyond success to meaningfulness. The life of Lord Ram stands as a message of truth, patience, and moral rectitude.
Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Diya Kumari, expressed that it was a privilege to be present at this sacred occasion. She congratulated the organisers and highlighted the historical connection between Rajasthan and Ayodhya, noting that the Kachwaha lineage of Jaipur traces its ancestry to Kush, the son of Lord Ram. She suggested that the commencement of the celebrations marking 300 years of Jaipur with Ayodhya Parv would be a matter of great pride. According to her, Ayodhya is not merely a place, but an idea, a philosophy, and an ideal that continues to guide society.
In his welcome address, Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi outlined the programmes scheduled for the remaining two days of the festival. He remarked that during Ayodhya Parv, the entire IGNCA campus becomes imbued with a divine energy. He added that the festival conveys that traditions are not merely memories of the past, but living forces shaping the present and future, where culture forms the basis of development. He also stated that India serves as a guide to global culture, with Ayodhya at its centre. Shri Ashok Vajpeyi also shared his thoughts and congratulated the organisers for the successful event. During the inaugural session, the Ayodhya Parv souvenir and a coffee table book on ‘Ramotsav’ photography by Chitranjali were released. Prizes were also awarded to winners of the ‘Ramotsav’ and ‘Festival of India’ photography competitions organised by Chitranjali. The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri Rakesh Singh, Secretary of Ayodhya Nyas.
Prior to the inaugural session, the first session titled ‘Future Ayodhya – Urban Planning’ featured serious and detailed deliberations on the subject. In this session, Shri Rakesh Kumar Singh, Chief Executive Officer of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority, emphasised the need to develop theme parks based on different cantos of the Ramcharitmanas at key locations leading into the Ayodhya region. Chairing the session, Padma Bhushan Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, Chairman of IGNCA, stated that the concerns of saints must be addressed in the redevelopment of religious sites. He cited the example of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham, noting that even during the Emergency and earlier, the project could not be realised under the then Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi. It was eventually implemented in 2016 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shri Rai added that the development of Ayodhya Dham should also draw inspiration from Kashi. The session was also addressed by Dr. B. L. Gaur, head of Gaur Sons; senior journalist Dr. Shailesh Shukla; and former Member of Parliament from Faizabad, Shri Lallu Singh. The day concluded with a grand cultural programme, where Pt. Dr. (Hon.) Abhay Manke enthralled the audience with his presentation of ‘Geet Ramayan’.
