As the historic consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya approaches, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address attendees at the grand event from the ‘Singh Dwar,’ the primary entrance to the temple, according to official sources on Thursday. The consecration ceremony, scheduled for January 22, will witness the Prime Minister inaugurating the grand temple and opening its gates to the public.
With lakhs of devotees expected to converge in Ayodhya for the momentous occasion, preparations are in full swing. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust, responsible for the construction and management of the temple, is convening a crucial meeting today. Discussions will revolve around the installation of the idol of Lord Ram inside the sanctum sanctorum during the consecration ceremony.
The meeting will delve into the intricate details of the consecration ceremony’s preparations, including the selection of the idol of Ram Lalla. Trust secretary Champat Rai revealed earlier that a 51-inch tall idol of Lord Ram, resembling a five-year-old Ram Lalla, will be chosen from three designs based on divineness and a child-like appearance.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, partaking in a cleanliness campaign in Ayodhya, emphasized the collective effort to maintain the cleanliness of the revered city ahead of the grand event. The campaign, themed “Swachh Rahe Shri Ram Ka Dham” (Lord Ram’s place should be cleaned), aims to ensure the pristine surroundings of Ayodhya.
In a briefing, trust secretary Champat Rai outlined the monumental construction of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple. He detailed the utilization of 21-22 lakh cubic feet of stone in the entire structure, emphasizing its unprecedented scale in North and South India over the past 100-200 years. The temple’s foundation comprises a 56-layered artificial rock, while the plinth incorporates 17,000 granite blocks. The temple structure features five lakh cubic feet of pink-coloured sandstone from Bharatpur, Rajasthan, and the sanctum sanctorum is crafted from pure white Makrana marble.
Adding to the significance of the Prime Minister’s visit, Narendra Modi is expected to arrive in Ayodhya on Saturday to inaugurate the revamped Ayodhya airport and railway station, designed in alignment with the temple’s architecture. The city is buzzing with anticipation as it prepares to witness this historic moment.