The “Pran Pratishtha” ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya will take place on January 22. The grand ceremony will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will also be the 'yajman' (chief host) on the day. Many other dignitaries including Bollywood celebrities and sportspersons will also attend the event. The “Pran Pratishtha” begins after noon and lasts for an hour, although the festivities begin early morning on Monday. After the inauguration event, the temple will be open for 'darshan' to the general public from January 23.
As the holy 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir approaches, here's everything you need to know about the temple.
Significance of Ayodhya Ram Mandir
The Ayodhya Ram Temple is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. It is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram and is considered a holy place.
When was the foundation stone laid for the Ram Mandir?
The foundation stone for the Ram Mandir was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5, 2020.
Who oversees the Ram Temple?
The temple is managed by Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra. The trust, set up by the central government on the orders of the Supreme Court, also oversees the construction of the temple, which has an area of 2.7 hectares, according to its website. The construction of the Ram Temple was carried out by Larsen and Toubro (L&T).
How can one visit the Ayodhya Ram Mandir?
After reaching Ayodhya, local transportation options are readily available including auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws. Located on the banks of the Sarayu River, the temple provides a serene backdrop to your spiritual journey.
What are the Aarti timings?
The Ram Lalla Aarti is performed three times a day, allowing devotees to participate at 6:30 AM for Jagaran or Shringar Aarti, 12:00 PM for Bhog Aarti and 7:30 PM for Sandhya Aarti. To attend the Aarti, individuals will need a trust-issued pass for which a valid ID must be presented.
What are the Darsham timings?
Devotees can participate in divine Darshan at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir from 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM and from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Is there an entry fee to visit the Ayodhya Ram Mandir?
General admission to the temple is free. Three different types of Aartis will be performed at the temple for which free tickets will be provided. Only those who have a pass are allowed to attend the Aarti. Only thirty people can attend each Aarti at a time.
About the Ram Mandir statue
Mysuru sculptor Arun Yogiraj has carved the idol of 'Ram Lalla' or baby Ram. The new idol is made of black stone and weighs somewhere between 150 and 200 kg. The idol depicts the deity as a five-year-old boy in a standing posture.
What is the cost of building the Ram Temple?
The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversaw the construction of the temple, initially estimated the cost at Rs 1,800 crore. This estimate includes several factors such as construction costs, material costs, machinery, labor and other administrative expenses.
In October last year, a PTI report also stated that the trust had spent Rs 900 crore on the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya between February 5, 2020 and March 31, 2023.
Other infrastructure details
At the four corners of the site are four temples – dedicated to the Sun God, Goddess Bhagwati, Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva. The temple of Maa Annapurna lies on the north side, while a Hanuman temple lies on the south side.
The foundation of the Ayodhya Ram temple is built with a 14-meter-thick layer of roller-compacted concrete (RCC), giving it the appearance of artificial rock.
To protect against soil moisture, a 6-meter high plinth is made of granite. The temple is being built entirely using indigenous technology, with special emphasis on water conservation.
When will the construction of Ram Mandir be completed?
Construction of the three-storey Ram temple in Ayodhya will be completed by December this year, said Nripendra Misra, chairman of the temple construction committee.