Kolkata/IBNS: As India celebrated the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Lord Ram at his janmabhoomi (birthplace) in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led an all-faith rally in Kolkata sending a message of secularism ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing the rally, Banerjee said: "Today, as I marched at the Sanhati rally, my belief was reaffirmed that beneath the surface of rituals and faith, we share something common to each one of us, and that is the religion of Humanity."

"Bengal has always stood for religious harmony, and whenever the demons of divisive politics attempt to erode the sacred unity binding this nation, we shall fight against all such forces with our heads held high."

During her rally, Banerjee met people from all faiths and offered prayers at the Kalighat Temple, a church as well as a Gurudwara in the Park circus area.

Meanwhile, hundreds of devotees and BJP karyakartas held a separate rally in the streets of this city, blowing the conch shells and beating the drums to mark the historic occasion.

The rally in the central part of the city wore a colourful jamboree as the people clad in saffron attire and bandanas on their heads marched the streets Chanting Jay Shree Ram, Jay Jay Shree Ram.

A band of women in costumes was seen beating the drums, which is normally seen during the celebration of Durga Puja, The celebration rally was headed by the leader of the opposition in the West.

Bengal Assembly Speaker Suvendu Adhikari and other BJP leaders also distributed sweets among the participants and onlookers.

"The day has finally come. I feel fortunate to be alive today, and find myself immersed in devotion as I will be able to witness Shri Ram's return to his rightful Adobe after more than 5 centuries, "Adhikari said in his X post.

"The Holy Pran Pratishtha Ceremony at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya Dham will be graced by the majestic 'Mangal Dhwani' which will fill the Universe with unique and unparalleled emotions never felt before. May Lord Ram, bless one and all. Siyavar Ramchandra Ki Jai Pawan Sut Hanuman Ki Jai Jai Shree Ram," Adhikari added.

He said, "Saffron Tsunami in Kolkata Sanatani Shova-Yatra from Shri Baikunth Nath Temple to Shri Ram Temple to honour Lord Ram's homecoming at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya Dham. What a day, what a moment! We have waited. for this moment for centuries. Jai Shri Ram."

In a grand ceremony that was witnessed by millions not just across the country but globally too, PM Modi inaugurated Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Uttar Pradesh's temple town Ayodhya.

Invoking Ram with inclusive national consciousness and referring to India's solar and lunar missions for the youth urging them to combine tradition with modernity, Modi addressed thousands of people, including the country's top celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, Rajinikanth, Sachin Tendulkar, at the ceremony which is widely viewed as a slow start to the campaigning for the upcoming General Elections.

Eleven days after beginning fasting for the ceremony, Modi arrived at the grand Ram Temple, where the dignitaries have been flocking in since the morning, at around 12 noon and went on to perform the rituals for the consecration ceremony.

During the entire time of rituals, Modi was flanked by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and very significantly Mohan Bhagwat, who is the head of the ruling  BJP's ideological patron Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).