A massive 286-kilogram Kodanda, revered as the sacred bow of Lord Rama and cast from panchadhatu — an alloy of five metals — is set to reach Ayodhya today, where it will be ceremonially placed at the Ram Temple. The sacred artefact has drawn widespread attention for both its religious significance and the craftsmanship involved in its creation.
The Kodanda was sculpted in Rourkela, Odisha, and began its journey on January 3 as part of a large-scale religious procession organised by the Sanatan Jagran Manch. Over the course of its journey, the bow was carried across all 30 districts of Odisha, with devotees, religious groups and local communities participating in events and ceremonies along the route.
On January 19, the procession reached Puri, where the Kodanda was offered for public darshan at the Jagannath Temple. After the rituals there, the bow resumed its onward journey toward Ayodhya and is scheduled to arrive in the holy city today, marking the culmination of a weeks-long spiritual procession.
The Kodanda is made from a panchadhatu blend comprising gold, silver, aluminium, zinc and iron. Its construction took nearly eight months and involved the efforts of 48 women artisans from Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, a region known for its traditional metalwork and temple craftsmanship.
Beyond its religious symbolism, the bow is richly detailed with engravings depicting moments of India’s military valour, including scenes from the Kargil War. These engravings are intended to reflect national pride and honour the sacrifices of the country’s armed forces, blending spiritual devotion with contemporary patriotic themes.
Separately, a rare 233-year-old Sanskrit manuscript of Valmiki’s Ramayana has been permanently donated to the Ram Katha Museum in Ayodhya. The manuscript includes the Tattvadipikatika commentary and dates back to 1792 CE, containing five major kandas of the epic.
The manuscript, authored by Valmiki with commentary by Maheshvara Tirtha, had earlier been on loan to Rashtrapati Bhavan. It was formally presented by Central Sanskrit University Vice Chancellor Shrinivasa Varakhedi to Nripendra Misra, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Museum and Library, reinforcing the Ram Katha Museum’s role as a key repository of Ramayana-related heritage and scholarship.
