Today’s Pran Pratistha ceremony marks a new chapter in the history of India after the end of the 500-year-old Ram Mandir movement by Hindus. But a small sailor community in Ayodhya’s Guptar Ghat is celebrating after their long-pending demand for a temple to their king saw the light of day.

Around 5,000 people from the sailor community are demanding the construction of a temple of King Nishadraj, who according to the Ramayana helped Lord Rama cross the Ganga with Sita and Lakshmana on their way to exile.

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has already proposed to build a temple in the Ram temple complex.

“January 22nd is truly a special day for everyone. But this day is even more special for the Nishads as it will also mark the end of a long-pending demand of the people of our community,” said Bhagwan Din Nishad, a young man from Guptar Ghat – an area inhabited by around 5,000 Nishad families. Is. Celebrating 22nd January as Diwali.

Officials said the trust has unanimously proposed the construction of seven temples in the Ram temple complex, including a temple of King Nishadraj.

The Nishad community said they have fought a long battle to highlight the relationship between Lord Ram and Nishadraj so that a temple can be built in his honour. “We are fighting to bring justice to our community and highlight the importance of Nishadraj through the ages. We are demanding to build the temple of Nishadraj ji in Ayodhya of Lord Ram. Our struggle is as old as the Ram Mandir movement, which is said to have started during the Mughal period. Santosh Nishad, member of Maharaja Nishad Raj Organization, said, we are grateful to the Ram Mandir Trust for paying attention to our demand and assuring the construction of Nishad Raj ji’s temple in the Ram Mandir complex.

Emphasizing the connection between Lord Ram and his deity Nishadraj, Santosh said, “According to the Ramayana, when Lord Ram was going for exile with his brother Lakshman and wife Sita, they reached the village Shringaverpur or Sinharaur, which is now in UP. Is in Prayagraj. , and asked for help from a boatman to cross the river Ganges. However, on the refusal of the boatmen, the king of Shringaverpur, Nishadraj or Nishadraj Guh, himself reached the site and helped Lord Rama cross the river,” he explained. He also said that Lord Rama had spent a night at Nishadraj’s house.

Apart from the demand for a Nishadraj temple, the sailor community also wants the Ayodhya district administration to rename the Tedhi Bazaar crossing as Nishadraj Crossing, and also install a statue of King Nishadraj there. Ayodhya district administration has not yet responded to this demand.

Diwali for Nishad Samaj

Getting the green signal from the Trust to the temple of Raja Nishadraj has brought a smile on the faces of the people of the community, who said that this day is no less than Diwali for them. Ram Babu Nishad, a local, said, “Apart from decorating the house with colorful rangoli, we are also putting up lights and lights in the house to celebrate Lord Ram’s homecoming and the construction of Nishadraj’s temple.”

Apart from Guptar Ghat in Ayodhya, Nishads of other areas including Meeran Ghat, Jamthara Ghat, Retia Ghat, Kakrai Bazaar, Bandha and Darab Ganj are also celebrating Diwali on January 22.

Recently, NISHAD party national president and state Fisheries Minister Sanjay Nishad called it a “proud” moment that there will be a statue of Nishadraj in Ayodhya too.

Meanwhile, Yogi Adityanath recently announced setting up a state government-run restaurant in the name of ‘Mata Shabari’ and a night shelter in the name of ‘Nishadraj Guha Guest House’ in Avadhpuri.