Sun god to be invoked to illuminate Ram idol in Ayodhya
Top institutes, experts designing Ram temple’s sanctum sanctorum in such a way that the sun’s rays fall on the forehead of the deity every Ram Navmi at the time of his birth, around 12 noon
LUCKNOW: Centuries ago, master sculptors built some magnificent temples, designing them with such ingenuity that the sun’s rays illuminated the sanctorum sanctorum and bathed the presiding deity, at particular times of the year. Some such temples include Trikutaalaya and Ved Narayana temples in Andhra Pradesh and Arasavilli and Konark temples in Odisha.
Now, to replicate the same marvel and offer a rare visual treat to devotees, the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust has roped in top institutes of the country having expertise in architecture and building design to model the Ram temple sanctum sanctorum in such a way that the sun’s rays fall on the forehead of Ram Lalla on every Ram Navmi at the time of birth of the deity, around 12 noon.
A team of experts from CSIRCBRI of Roorkee, the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune and renowned temple architects has been constituted for the purpose.
This team has finalised the design of the under-construction sanctum sanctorum of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had suggested to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust that the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram temple should be constructed in such a way that sun’s rays should fall directly on it like the Konark Sun temple in Odisha.
He had made the suggestion on his visit to Ayodhya during the Deepotsav celebrations on
October 23.
The Ram Temple Construction Committee headed by former bureaucrat Nripendra Misra has finalised the sanctum sanctorum’s design that will ensure this unique feature.
The team of experts includes Prof Pradeep Kumar, director of CBRI- Roorkee and its former director Prof Gopal Krishnan, along with their scientists. Ashish Sompura, architect of the temple, is also a part of this team.
Kumar and Gopal Krishnan had explained the science behind the concept of sun rays falling on Ram Lalla on Ram Navmi at the meeting of the Trust in Ayodhya on November 18 this year.
They also gave a presentation to help Trust members visualize this concept.
The sanctum sanctorum of the Ram temple is part of the superstructure which is under construction at present.
“This superstructure of Ram temple is being constructed by using carved sandstones from Rajasthan’s Bansi Paharpur district,” said Champat Rai, general secretary of the Trust.
“Around 4.75 lakh cubic feet Bansi Paharpur stones will be used in Ram temple’s superstructure. At present, approximately 50 per cent of stones have been carved and are available for use,” added Rai.
According to the Trust, the work of installing white marble columns of Makrana stone in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is going on as per schedule and around 20 per cent of the work has been completed.
Ram temple’s lower plinth will have around 100 iconographical panels based on Valmiki Ramayan. Initially, pencil sketches will be made and clay model will be prepared before sculpting. The Trust has set a deadline of completing the first floor of the Ram temple by December 2023, when devotees will be allowed entry.
Grand celebrations for opening the temple will start from December, 2023 and will continue till Makar Sankranti falling on January 14 or 15, 2024.
Ram Lalla will be enthroned in the sanctum sanctorum on Makar Sankranti in January, 2024.