<span style="color: #222222;">Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has expressed his heartfelt gratitude and happiness at the inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Speaking to reporters after witnessing the Pran Prathistha ceremony in Thane's Kopineshwar Temple, Mr. Shinde said, the inauguration of the temple marks the fulfilment of every Ram Bhakt's dream. Mr. Shinde said the vibe of Ayodhya has changed in recent times, and that the idol of Lord Ram at the temple has been the talking point across the world.  Mr. Shinde said that the wait for Lord Ram's temple at his birthplace lasted five centuries. He recalled that building a grand Ram Temple at Ayodhya was a dream dear to both Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray and Anand Dighe, who the Chief Minister considers his mentor. Mr. Shinde said, an unbreakable bond had developed between Ayodhya and Maharashtra, the day when Lord Ram along with Goddess Sita and Laxman decided to stay put in Panchvati in Nashik district during their exile. As a small contribution, the Chief Minister said a silver tile had been sent to Ayodhya during Kar Seva while the state has now supplied wood material required for construction.</span><br />