We also have a Ram Mandir

Free Thinker *

People are not very familiar with the fact that Manipur has a very old Ram Mandir, popularly known as Ramji Prabhu, located just a stone’s throw from the Royal Palace.

My father who is 90 years old says, Ramji Prabhu was there when they grew up and he adds that it is a centuries-old temple – one of the oldest in the State. Ramji Prabhu was perhaps constructed during the time of Garibniwaz Maharaj in the first half of the Eighteenth Century.

Interestingly there is a Hanuman ji temple just approx. three km away from Ramji Prabhu. This temple is called the Hanuman Thakur. I ponder with inquisitiveness – about the name of the temple. Actually ‘Thakur’ is referred to as Krisna Kanheiya in the Mathura-Vrindavan tradition. Anyways what is in a name – god is God – known by different names.

The arrival of Vaisnavism in Manipur was indeed an enigma because it was too sudden, too dramatic a change. It was recorded in the local royal chronicles that the Ramandi tradition was brought by one priest from Bengal – namely Santidas Gosai during Garibniwaz Maharaj. History may not be so important in matters of faith and belief. But thousands became Vaisnavites in no time – perhaps because of the King’s patronage or order.

Ramji Prabhu temple was constructed with red bricks. It is now painted white. The floor around the temple was normal earth-soil; these days it is tiled with white marble. In the beginning, the Mandap was made of bamboo and thatch - now it is pukka and tin roofed.

One report says that in the beginning the temple had only the idols of Ram, Laxman and Hanuman. Much later the idols of Sita Mata , Bharat and Satrughan were added. It was also reported that the idol of lord Ram went missing during the Manipur-Burmese war. It was later recovered from the forest. Perhaps a devotee or the then priest might have hidden the idol as there was the possibility of desecration and destruction.

During the reign of Maharaj Bodhachandra, we are told that a princess was assigned the duty of taking care of the temple. The princess, when she was alive, took a keen interest in the maintenance and management of the temple. After her, it was the devotees and local priests who continued the seva.

If I remember correctly the Hon. Chief Minister, Shri Biren Singh contributed more than ten lac rupees for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. After the Apex court verdict and when the issue became non-controversial many leaders contributed a good amount of money for the construction of Ram Mandir.

Shri Nishikant ji the present MLA also contributed hugely. A common man like me also made a humble contribution. But all Bhakts are on an equal pedestal in the eyes of the Lord.

In the name of Sri Ram ji, let us pardon the press - whether active or dormant or extinct- as far as possible. Without their truths, half-truths, rumours, stories, gossip, speculations, and anticipations, our Ram-Rayja-Democracy remains dull and lethargic.

Whether they are the fourth pillar or useless pillar, let the people decide; their reporting or misreporting or guidance or misguidance must be comprehended carefully. Ramji asked Laxman to abandon Sita Matta in the forest due to some social-media misreporting.

Someone reported that the temple belonged to the Ningthouja clan. It could be true. But at present the temple is run by a group of devotees, Manoharsai group, etc. Let us not go into the nitty-gritty of the management of the temple.

But it is a simple fact that the temple is run by the people who love Prabhu Ram. I am told that even during the COVID-19 pandemic, puja was conducted regularly. It could be really difficult but it went on with the grace of Prabhuji.

In the early 90s, one evening, a meeting was organized in the Mandap of Ramji Prabhu to preserve the unity and integrity of the State when provoked by a peace talk process. If I recall correctly, the main speaker of that evening was R.K Ranendrajit the then editor of a popular English Daily.

Those days too we were worried about the territorial integrity of the land and today we are continuing with the same. But we have faith in Ramji and ‘He’ will safeguard it, tooth and nail.

It is encouraging to know that Ram Navami and Sita Navami both are celebrated every year in this Mandir. Sita Navami is a very popular event and festival in Janakpur, Nepal (where Sita was born). But it is a pleasant surprise that equal importance is given to both Ram Navami and Sita Navami here in Manipur. Ras Leela performances are organized on such occasions.

This is quite evident that with the blessings of the presiding deity, the Mandir functions run smoothly even in the absence of affluent patrons. There is a proposal to reconstruct Ramji Prabhu in a big way with the help of devotees, followers, and benevolent bhaktas. So be it.

Till then, let us decorate and illuminate Ramji Prabhu for ‘ 22 December’ to align with the consecration ceremony at Ayodhya; let us all pray for peace in Manipur with a diya in every devotee’s household.