NEW DELHI: Ayodhya is buzzing with excitement as the countdown to the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple reaches its final hours. Millions of people from around the world are eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the newly-built temple, seeing it as a historic moment that promises a new dawn of spirituality and Sanatan Dharma. However, for the Mewar Dynasty of Udaipur, recognised as one of the world’s oldest serving dynasties, the consecration is a matter of family pride and reflection on their bright past.
More than 1,000 km away from the bustling streets of Ayodhya, Prince Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, the son of Maharaja Arvind Singh Mewar, in his quiet palace of Udaipur, is getting ready to attend the pran pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of the idol of Lord Ram – the 65th ruler of the Surya Vansh (dynasty) to which he claims to belong.
“Ram ji sab ke hai (Lord Ram belongs to everyone); but you can see our genealogy chart (attached below). My father is the 232nd descendant of Lord Ram. Therefore, our lineage undoubtedly traces back to Lord Ram, and we are very happy, humbled, and privileged to be among the lucky ones witnessing the construction of this temple in our lifetime, after a span of 400-500 years,” Lakshyaraj told The New Indian displaying his family’s documented lineage.
Reiterating his father’s sentiments, the prince added, “I wholeheartedly agree with every letter of every word that he (Arvind Singh Mewar) has written, and today, as this unfolds, we couldn’t be happier. Also, receiving an invitation to visit the Ram temple is a true privilege, and we are thrilled about it.”
The Mewar family’s claim to the lineage of Lord Ram gained prominence in 2019 when the Supreme Court inquired about the presence of any remaining descendants from the Raghuvansha dynasty in Ayodhya. Arvind Singh Mewar had then tweeted, “It is historically proven that my family is direct descendants of Shree Ram. We do not wish to stake any claim on Ram Janma bhoomi but believe that the Shri Ram Temple must be built at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya.”
In response to why the family has maintained a relatively low profile about their lineage, Prince Lakshyaraj revealed, “We don’t feel the need to boast about whatever we have done, are doing, or will do. It’s a blessing for us, and the most significant thing we can share is that being there in person to pay our respects is our only contribution. I won’t elaborate further as it will just make me feel very small, but we intend to only feel joy about going and receiving the blessings.”
Addressing the broader perspective of his family concerning the land in Ayodhya, Lakshyaraj emphasised, “It’s not about staking a claim as one would for property. It’s a shared heritage, and we feel happy, privileged, and humbled to be part of this lineage and family. Today, a long-overdue event is happening in the nation, and we are joyfully grateful to witness it.
“This is significant for the entire country, where many people hold deep faith, beliefs, and devotion. Our stance aligns with this, echoing the beliefs of not only my father but also generations before him. This is what we’ve always believed in, and my father continues to express the same sentiment. There’s nothing more to add; we anticipate a new Diwali.”