India's Narendra Modi inaugurates Ram Mandir in Ayodhya - in pictures

  • Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Photo: India's Press Information Bureau
    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Photo: India's Press Information Bureau
  • Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi fulfilled a long-standing electoral promise of his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. Photo: India's Press Information Bureau
    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi fulfilled a long-standing electoral promise of his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. Photo: India's Press Information Bureau
  • Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. Photo: India's Press Information Bureau
    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. Photo: India's Press Information Bureau
  • The ceremony, which was televised live, showed Mr Modi performing religious rituals inside the temple's sanctum. Photo: India's Press Information Bureau
    The ceremony, which was televised live, showed Mr Modi performing religious rituals inside the temple's sanctum. Photo: India's Press Information Bureau
  • Indian Air Force helicopters showered petals over the temple. Photo: India's Press Information Bureau
    Indian Air Force helicopters showered petals over the temple. Photo: India's Press Information Bureau
  • The federal government declared a half-day holiday for its employees, while several states announced a holiday for banks and educational institutions. Photo: India's Press Information Bureau
    The federal government declared a half-day holiday for its employees, while several states announced a holiday for banks and educational institutions. Photo: India's Press Information Bureau
  • The temple fulfils a decades-long Hindu nationalist pledge to build a shrine to Lord Ram in Ayodhya. Photo: India's Press Information Bureau
    The temple fulfils a decades-long Hindu nationalist pledge to build a shrine to Lord Ram in Ayodhya. Photo: India's Press Information Bureau
  • The Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the temple. Photo: India's Press Information Bureau
    The Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the temple. Photo: India's Press Information Bureau
  • The temple's inauguration has also been marked by controversy over its consecration before the structure is fully built. Photo: India's Press Information Bureau
    The temple's inauguration has also been marked by controversy over its consecration before the structure is fully built. Photo: India's Press Information Bureau
  • More than 7,000 people attended the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. Photo: India's Press Information Bureau
    More than 7,000 people attended the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. Photo: India's Press Information Bureau
  • Attendees during the opening of a temple dedicated to Hindu deity Lord Ram, in Ayodhya, India. AP
    Attendees during the opening of a temple dedicated to Hindu deity Lord Ram, in Ayodhya, India. AP
  • A man prays on the banks of the Sarayu River ahead of Ram temple's consecration ceremony. AFP
    A man prays on the banks of the Sarayu River ahead of Ram temple's consecration ceremony. AFP
  • Traditional Chhau dancers dress in the guise of Hindu deities in Kolkata. AFP
    Traditional Chhau dancers dress in the guise of Hindu deities in Kolkata. AFP
  • A Muslim cleric and a Hindu priest arrive to attend the inauguration ceremony. Reuters
    A Muslim cleric and a Hindu priest arrive to attend the inauguration ceremony. Reuters
  • Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, with his son, was among the chief guests at the opening of a temple. AP
    Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, with his son, was among the chief guests at the opening of a temple. AP
  • People arrive ahead of the inauguration of the temple. AP
    People arrive ahead of the inauguration of the temple. AP
  • Police officers ask a Hindu holy man to leave the area before the inauguration in Ayodhya. Reuters
    Police officers ask a Hindu holy man to leave the area before the inauguration in Ayodhya. Reuters