Chairperson of the Temple Construction Committee, Nripendra Mishra, has announced that the construction of the ground floor of the three-story Ram temple in Ayodhya will reach completion by the end of December. Furthermore, the consecration ceremony is scheduled for January 22, following an expected event related to 'pran pratishtha' involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to be held between January 20 and 24.
Mishra also disclosed that preparations are underway to design an apparatus that will be installed on the temple's 'Shikhar,' allowing sun rays to briefly touch the deity's forehead in the sanctum sanctorum on the occasion of Ram Navami each year. This apparatus is currently under construction in Bengaluru, with scientists overseeing its design. The Central Building Research Institute in Roorkee and an institute in Pune have collaboratively created a computerized program for this purpose.
The origin of this project can be traced back to a 2019 Supreme Court verdict that permitted the construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, with an alternative five-acre plot allocated for the Sunni Waqf Board to construct a new mosque. The ruling also designated the 2.77-acre disputed land, formerly the site of the Babri Masjid, for the temple's construction.
The consecration ceremony for the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla in the temple's sanctum sanctorum will be conducted by the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and is expected to commence on January 14, following Makar Sankranti. The temple is set to open to devotees on January 24 after the consecration of the idol.
While the event's timing has raised questions about political implications in relation to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Mishra emphasized the trust's commitment to complete the construction of the ground floor by December 2023, ensuring it remains on schedule.
He added that the temple is being constructed with the intention of lasting for at least 1,000 years, and the 'pran pratishtha' will be carried out in consultation with knowledgeable saints and sages. The trust has formed a committee led by its General Secretary, Champat Rai, to work out the details of the ceremony, which is expected to draw a large crowd.
Mishra also revealed that iron has not been used in the temple's construction; instead, copper has been used to connect stone blocks. The temple complex spans an area of about eight acres, including a 'parikrama path,' and features ninety bronze panels depicting the life and duties of Lord Ram.
Approximately Rs 900 crore has been expended thus far on the temple's construction, with an estimated total cost of Rs 1,700 to 1,800 crore for the entire complex. Additionally, some artifacts discovered during excavations by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and other objects found during the temple's groundbreaking and construction work will be displayed in a proposed museum after receiving permission from the ASI.
As for the guest list for the consecration ceremony, a preliminary roster of 10,000 individuals is being compiled, comprising saints, seers, and individuals associated with the Ram temple movement.
