Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the consecration on Monday of a grand temple in the city of Ayodhya on a site believed to be the birthplace of Hindu god Ram.
"The supernatural moment of the consecration ... is going to leave everyone emotional," Modi posted on social network X minutes before the ceremony began. "It is my great pleasure to be a part of this divine programme."
Nearly 8,000 people were invited to Monday's ceremony, while more than 10,000 police personnel guarded the city of 3 million.
The temple opens to the public on Tuesday and its management expects 100,000 visitors each day for the next few months.
The temple is built on the site of a 16th-century mosque that was demolished in 1992.
China identifies countries of 261 foreigners missing in Himalayan mudslide
Israeli settlers stage new attack on home in West Bank's Qusra, witnesses say
Norway's King Haakon honours 'dear father' Harald in first speech as sovereign
Storm leaves one dead, two injured in Cyprus
Russian strike on Ukraine warehouse causes detonation, killing 37
