Prime Minister Narendra Modi donning gold Kurta and white dhoti, reached Ayodhya on Wednesday to attend the grand ground-breaking Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan ceremony. PM Modi laid down a silver brick to mark the foundation ceremony. Before this, the PM along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had offered prayers at Hanuman Garhi and paid a visit to Ram Janmabhoomi. Around 175 people are estimated to be present at the ceremony.

PM Modi began his speech with the slogan of “Jai Siya Ram,” and called it a historic occasion. “I am grateful to witness history being made. Crores of Indians cannot believe that this day has come. The entire country is in the spell of Lord Ram," he said.

PM Modi shared the dais with just four other people — RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, trust chief Nritya Gopaldas Maharaj, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, and CM Yogi Adityanath.

Seating arrangements were made in accordance with social distancing norms in view of the pandemic.