Invoke gods 108 times daily for Ram Temple, says VHP

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is running a programmatic overdrive to consolidate its base and reach the masses as well as to garner support, moral and religious, for the construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Among its programmes are a membership drive across the country, which aims at collecting money for the "protection of Hindu religion" which would end in February, and a Ram Temple outreach that would be carried out throughout March.

Between March 18 and 31, the VHP would be running the 'Isht Naam Jap Abhiyan' (chanting the name of one's God) urging Hindus to pray to their gods for a Ram Temple using the Hindu rosary.

"There are 108 beads in a Hindu rosary and we will urge Hindus to run through these 108 beads chanting he name of a Hindu God of choice for 108 times at least once a day to pray for a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya. The idea is to raise awareness regarding our legacy and heritage reflected through and in the figure of Lord Ram, and to create a religious and moral logic for the temple and our rights as Hindus in Bharat," VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain told DNA.

Meanwhile, under the membership and money collection drive, the organisation would be collecting money from its volunteers and those who want to enter the fold of the VHP.

"We don't believe in accepting funds from any government or agency. We are a voluntary association of people who believe in Hindu religion and want it to be protected," Jain said.