Introduction - Sree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir - Topic in English
The construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India, marks a significant milestone in the cultural and religious history of the country. The temple, dedicated to Lord Ram, a central figure in Hinduism, has been a subject of controversy and legal battles for decades.
As of January 2024, the sanctum sanctorum and the first floor of the temple have been completed, with the consecration of the idol in the child form of Shri Ram taking place on January 22, 2024.
Historical Context:
The site where the Ram Temple is being constructed is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram, making it an essential pilgrimage destination for Hindus. The previous structure on the site was the Babri Masjid, which was built after the demolition of a pre-existing non-Islamic structure.
The legal dispute over the ownership of the land was settled by the Supreme Court of India in 2019, affirming that the land belongs to Hindus, allowing for the construction of the Ram Temple. As a resolution, Muslims were allotted a separate piece of land to build a mosque.
Construction and Maintenance:
The construction of the Ram Temple officially commenced with the Bhoomipujan ceremony on August 5, 2020. The ongoing construction is overseen by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The temple is scheduled for inauguration on January 22, 2024.
Devotee Experience:
Devotees have eagerly anticipated the opportunity to witness the consecrated idol and partake in darshan at the Ram Temple. The darshan timings are set from 7 am to 11:30 am in the morning shift and from 2 pm to 6:30 pm in the afternoon shift. Flexibility exists to extend darshan durations if the crowd size exceeds expectations.
Controversies and Challenges:
Despite its religious significance, the Ram Temple has not been immune to controversies. Allegations of donation misuse, marginalization of key workers, and the political manipulation of the temple by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have surfaced. These issues have led to a complex narrative surrounding the temple construction, raising concerns about the transparency and fairness of the process.
Architect
The original design of the Ram Temple was crafted by the Sompura family of Ahmedabad in 1988. The Sompura family, known for their expertise, has contributed to designing over 100 temples across the world for at least 15 generations, including the renowned Somnath Temple. Chandrakant Sompura, assisted by his two sons, Nikhil Sompura and Ashish Sompura, served as the chief architect of the temple.
In 2020, a new design was prepared by Sompura, incorporating some changes from the original, adhering to Hindu texts, Vastu Shastra, and Shilpa Shastra. The temple's dimensions are planned to be 250 feet wide, 380 feet long, and 161 feet (49 m) high, making it the third-largest Hindu temple globally upon completion. The design follows the Gurjara-Chalukya style of Nagara architecture, predominantly found in northern India.
The temple will be situated on a three-storey high platform, with five pavilions in the middle of the sanctum sanctorum and at the entrance. Three mandaps on one side will be designated for Kudu, dance, and color, while two mandaps on the other side will be for kirtan and prayer. The pavilions, following the Nagara style, will be adorned with shikharas.
The temple will feature a total of 366 columns, each pillar adorned with 16 idols, including incarnations of Shiva, 10 Dashavatara, 64 Chausath Yoginis, and 12 incarnations of Goddess Saraswati. The sanctum sanctorum, in line with the design of temples dedicated to Vishnu, will be octagonal.
Covering an area of 10 acres (0.040 km2), the temple complex will include facilities such as a prayer hall, lecture hall, educational facility, museum, and cafeteria on an additional 57 acres (0.23 km2) of land. It is estimated that over 70,000 people will be able to visit the site. Larsen & Toubro has offered to oversee the design and construction of the temple free of charge and serves as the project contractor.
Several institutions, including the Central Building Research Institute, National Geophysical Research Institute, and IITs Bombay, Guwahati, and Madras, are providing assistance in areas such as soil testing, concrete, and design.
The construction will utilize Rs 600,000 sandstone sourced from Bansi, Rajasthan. Notably, there will be no use of iron in the temple's construction, and ten thousand copper plates will be required to join the stone blocks. Thailand is also symbolically contributing to the inauguration of the Ram temple by sending soil from two rivers of Thailand to honor the temple, building on its earlier gesture of sending water.
Construction
The construction of the Shri Ram Temple by Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra began its first phase in March 2020. However, the 2020 China–India clashes, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India, temporarily halted the construction. During the leveling and excavation of the construction site, various significant findings were made, including a Shivalinga, pillars, and broken statues. On March 25, 2020, the idol of Lord Ram was relocated to a temporary location in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
In preparation for the construction, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad organized a Vijay Mahamantra chanting ritual on April 6, 2020. People gathered at different locations to chant the Vijay Mahamantra, "Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram," ensuring "victory over obstacles" in the temple's construction.
Larsen & Toubro volunteered to oversee the design and construction of the temple pro bono and serves as the project contractor. Various institutions, including the Central Building Research Institute, the National Institute of Geophysical Research, and the Indian Institute of Technology (Bombay, Guwahati, and Madras), are assisting in areas such as soil testing, concrete, and design. Reports also surfaced that the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) identified a stream of the Saryu flowing beneath the temple.
The construction will utilize 600 thousand cubic feet of sandstone and Bansi mountain stones brought from Rajasthan.
Bhoomi Pujan Ceremony
The construction of the temple officially resumed after the foundation stone-laying ceremony on 5 August. Preceding the foundation stone-laying ceremony, three days of Vedic rituals were conducted. India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, laid a 40 kg silver brick as the foundation stone. On 4 August, Ramarchana Puja was performed, inviting all the major deities.
For the Bhoomi-Pujan occasion, soil and holy water from various religious places across India, including the Triveni Sangam of rivers Ganga, Indus, Yamuna, Saraswati at Prayagraj, Kaveri river at Talakaveri, Kamakhya Temple in Assam, and others, were collected. Soil was also gathered from Hindu temples, gurudwaras, Jain temples, and Sharda Peeth in Pakistan.
Additionally, soil was sent to the four pilgrimage sites of Char Dham. Temples in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean islands organized a virtual service to commemorate the occasion. Plans were made to display the image of Lord Ram at Times Square. All 7000 temples within a 7-kilometer radius of Hanumangarhi were asked to participate by lighting lamps.
Muslim devotees in Ayodhya, considering Lord Ram as their ancestor, looked forward to the Bhoomi Puja. Spiritual leaders from various religions were invited, and on August 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought permission from Hanuman at Hanuman Garhi temple before the ground-breaking and foundation stone-laying of the Ram temple.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of temple attendees was limited to 175 during the ceremony.
Prana Pratishta
By January 2024, the first floor of the temple, including the sanctum sanctorum, was expected to be ready. On January 22, 2024, during the auspicious time period of 90 minutes, the consecration of the idol of Shri Ram took place, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the chief guest.
The Pran Pratistha, or consecration, ceremony was a significant event, and various programs had commenced from January 15 (Makar Sankranti). The Uttar Pradesh government allocated Rs 100 crore for Pran Pratistha.
School holidays were declared in many states on January 22. Narendra Modi encouraged people to light lamps at their homes on this occasion. Notable figures from the cinema world, along with Modi and a total of 6000 VVIPs, participated in the program.
Conclusion:
Sree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir - Topic in English: The Ram Temple in Ayodhya stands as a testament to the enduring faith and cultural identity of millions of Hindus. Its construction represents a historical and emotional moment for the country. However, the controversies surrounding the temple underscore the challenges of balancing religious sentiments with transparency and accountability. As the temple opens its doors to devotees, it is essential to navigate these challenges with a commitment to harmony and inclusivity, ensuring that the sacred space serves as a unifying force rather than a source of division.
