​PM Modi’s insights played key role in temple, Ayodhya development

‘Sapta Mandapam’, an important element of the Ram Mandir, has been designed as a quarter meant to honour Valmiki, Shabri, Ahilya, Nishadraj and sage Agastya, all important characters from the epic Ramayana. They came from diverse backgrounds — many Dalits identify themselves with Valmiki who wrote the epic; Shabri, at whose place Lord Ram stayed, was an old tribal woman; Nishadraj was a boatman who helped Ram cross the Ganga, and Agastya was the revered sage who gave him the weapons that turned out to be crucial in his victory over Ravan.