Maharashtra Congress President enters Kalaram temple with Constitution on Ram Navami

The temple has social relevance, as in 1930, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, the social reformer and chief architect of the Constitution, led a protest at the Kalaram temple to seek entry for Dalits into the temple.

Mumbai: In a gesture coinciding with the Ramnavami festivities, Maharashtra Congress President Harshavardhan Sapkal on Sunday entered the Kalaram temple in Nashik with a copy of the Constitution.

The Kalaram temple is located in the Panchvati area of Nashik, on the banks of the Godavari River.

The temple derives its name from a black statue of Lord Ram and the sanctum sanctorum, which also houses the idols of Sita and Laxman. The temple complex also has the deity of Lord Hanuman, which is also black.

It is believed that Lord Ram, Sita, and Laxman stayed in the Panchvati area during their exile.

The temple also has social relevance, as in 1930, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, the social reformer and chief architect of the Constitution, led a protest at the Kalaram temple to seek entry for Dalits into the temple.

Sapkal, a former MLA from Buldhana, along with several Congress leaders, entered the Kalaram temple and offered prayers.

On this occasion, the Mahant of the temple and Captain Kunal Gaikwad, grandson of Karmaveer Dadasaheb Gaikwad, who accompanied Dr Ambedkar in the Kalaram Temple entry satyagraha, were also present. Babasaheb and Dadasaheb were blocked from entering the temple in 1930.

“Today, the Mahant welcomed Dadasaheb's grandson, Captain Kunal Gaikwad, to the temple. On this occasion, Sapkal presented a copy of the Constitution of India to the Mahant. Later, while interacting with the media, the Congress State President said that Maryada Purushottam Prabhu Ram belongs to everyone; he is an integral part of Indian culture,” Congress leaders said.

“The idea of equality, brotherhood, and constitutionalism should be promoted in the country and the state,” Sapkal said.

It may be mentioned that, ahead of the pran-pratishtha ceremony of the grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on 22 January 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced an 11-day special strict ritual by offering prayers at the Kalaram temple.

Every 12 years, the Kumbh Mela is held in the twin holy places of Ramkund-Panchavati and Trimbakeshwar.