Ayodhya's Ram Mandir Replica to Shine at NYC's India Day Parade

New Delhi: A replica of the Ram Mandir from Ayodhya will be unveiled at New York's 42nd India Day Parade on August 18th. Amitabh Mittal, General Secretary of the Vishva Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), announced plans to showcase the 18-foot long, 9-foot wide, and 8-foot tall replica during the renowned event.

Organized by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), the India Day Parade is the largest celebration of India's Independence Day outside the country, drawing over 150,000 spectators annually. The parade features vibrant floats representing diverse Indian-American communities and cultural expressions. This year's addition of the Ram Mandir replica promises to add a significant cultural and religious dimension to the festivities.

The Ram Mandir, a symbol of reverence for Hindus worldwide, gained renewed prominence earlier this year when Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the Pran Pratishtha rituals for Shri Ram Lalla at the sacred site in Ayodhya on January 22nd.

Spanning from East 38th Street down Madison Ave to 28th Street, the parade route hosts celebrities and grand marshals who greet spectators amid Indian flag-themed decorations, food stalls, and lively music and dance performances.

Highlighting widespread community support, the VHPA recently concluded a Ram Mandir Rath Yatra, visiting 851 temples across 48 American states over 60 days. This nationwide tour underscores the profound cultural and religious significance of the Ram Mandir project in Ayodhya within the Hindu-American community.