Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 24 next year. Being the birthplace of Lord Ram, Ayodhya holds special significance for the Hindu community. As the big day approaches, we are here to tell you about a florist, Munna, whose family has been serving Ramlalla for many generations.
Munna sells flower garlands at Hanumangarhi Gate and cannot hold his excitement for the opening of the new Ram Mandir.
Believed to have been a huge temple site before 1527 when the Mughal emperor Babar built a mosque in its place, a small temporary Ram temple was re-established at the site on December 6, 1992. Since then, the small temple has been adorned with flowers by local florists and gardeners and Munna Mali’s family is one among them.
Munna Mali says that they have been giving garlands and flowers to Ramlala for the last three generations. The work started right when Lord Ram was established in a small tent in 1992. “Since then, we have been offering flower garlands to the Lord every day,” Munna says. And now that a historic and huge temple will soon be opened to devotees in the Lord’s own birthplace, he says he cannot express his excitement.
Munna says that a large garland is being prepared from their side to be gifted to the temple. “Before 2006, we used to get Rs 10 and RS 20 per month. But after 2006 we are getting Rs 2100 per month,” he says.
He is, however, quick to point out that he does not serve Lord Rama for money. “We bring flowers and garlands to the Lord Ram shrine at five in the morning as a sign of our faith in the Lord. Aside from this, what makes this garland unique is that we personally pluck the flowers that are offered to him,” he said.
Comments
0 comment