Lord Ram, revered as a Hindu deity and considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was born in Ayodhya according to the ancient Indian epic,
Ramayan (रामायण). In the 16th century, the temple was ravaged by Babur as part of his series of attacks on temples across northern India. Subsequently, the Mughals erected the Babri Masjid at the site of Ram's birthplace, known as
Ram Janmabhoomi . The earliest documented mention of the mosque dates back to 1767 AD in the Latin book Descriptio India, written by Jesuit missionary Joseph Tiefenthaler. According to Tiefenthaler, the mosque was constructed by demolishing the Ramkot Temple, identified as Ram's fort in Ayodhya, along with the Vedi, the presumed location of Ram's birthplace. In December 1858, the British administration prohibited Hindus from conducting ‘pujas’ (rituals) at the site, necessitating the construction of a stage outside the mosque for ritual practices. The night of December 22/23’1949, witnessed the installation of idols of Ram and Sita inside the Babri Masjid, with devotees gathering from the following day. By 1950, the state assumed control of the mosque, allowing only Hindus, not Muslims, to worship at the location. The resolution of the Ayodhya dispute by the Supreme Court in 2019 paved the way for the transfer of the disputed land to the trust established by the Government of India for the construction of the Ram Temple. The trust, officially named Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, was announced in the Parliament of India on February 5, 2020, signifying the government's approval of the temple construction plan.
The initial concept for the Ram Temple dates back to 1988 when the renowned Sompura family of Ahmedabad, known for their architectural prowess spanning 15 generations and having designed over 100 temples worldwide, including the iconic Somnath Temple, crafted the original design. Chandrakant Sompura, the chief architect, along with his sons Nikhil Sompura and Ashish Sompura, both architects themselves, led the project. In 2020, a revised design, incorporating alterations guided by Hindu texts, Vastu Shastra (वास्तु शास्त्र), and Shilpa Shastra (शिल्प शास्त्र), was developed by the Sompura family.
Envisioned to be 235 feet wide, 360 feet long, and 161 feet high, the temple complex, upon completion, will rank as the third-largest Hindu temple globally.
The architectural style draws inspiration from the Gurjara-Chalukya style of Nagara architecture, predominantly found in northern India.
A model of the proposed temple was unveiled during the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela in 2019, showcasing its grandeur. The temple's main structure will rest on a three-story high platform, featuring five pavilions around the sanctum sanctorum and at the entrance. Embracing the Nagara style, these pavilions will be adorned with ‘shikharas’. Each column of the temple is embellished with sixteen idols, including incarnations of Shiva, Dashavatara (दशावतार), Chausath Yoginis (चौसठ योगिनियाँ), and twelve incarnations of Goddess Saraswati. The sanctum sanctorum, following the design of Vishnu-dedicated temples, is octagonal.
Spanning 10 acres, the temple and its surroundings cover an additional 57 acres, designated for a prayer hall, lecture hall, educational facilities, a museum, and a cafeteria. The temple committee estimates a capacity for over 70,000 visitors. Leading construction company Larsen & Toubro has generously offered to oversee the project without charge, becoming the primary contractor. Several institutions, including the Central Building Research Institute, National Geophysical Research Institute, and Mumbai, Guwahati, and Chennai IITs, are contributing expertise in areas such as soil testing, concrete, and design. The materials employed in the construction of the Ram Mandir exhibit a blend of quality and cultural significance. Notable elements incorporated into the structure include Granite Stone, Pink Sandstone, Shaligram (शालीग्राम) Rock, Advanced “Rolled Compacted Concrete" (RCC) devoid of steel, Gold, Ashtdhatu (अष्टधातु), Teakwood and copper plates. Ten thousand copper plates will be employed to join the stone blocks, ensuring structural integrity.
The foundation of the Ram Mandir boasts meticulous planning and execution. A substantial 14-meter thick layer of Rolled Compacted Concrete has been meticulously shaped into an artificial stone. A total of 56 layers of Compacted Concrete, crafted from Fly Ash/Dust and chemicals, have been integrated. To safeguard the temple from moisture, a robust 21-foot thick plinth, constructed from Granite, has been employed. Granite Stone sourced from Karnataka & Telangana, along with Pink Sandstone from Bans Paharpur (Bharatpur, Rajasthan), forms the core of the foundation design. The three-story Ram Temple stands as a testament to both architectural prowess and seismic resilience. The structure encompasses 392 pillars and 44 Teakwood doors, elegantly adorned with gold plating. The temple, estimated to last for 2500 years, houses idols sculpted from 60 million-year-old Shaligram Rocks, sourced from the Gandaki River in Nepal. The impressive bell, composed of Astadhatu (Gold, Silver, Copper, Zinc, Lead, Tin, Iron, and Mercury), weighs a substantial 2100 Kg and resonates its melodious chime across a 15 Km radius.
In addition to its structural prowess and niceties, the Shri Ram Mandir boasts an array of distinctive features. The sanctum-sanctorum of the temple is dedicated to the idol of Shri Ram Lalla, depicting the infant form of Lord Shri Ram. The first floor houses the Shri Ram Darbar. The temple encompasses five Mandapas - Nritya Mandap (नृत्य मंडप), Rang Mandap (रंग मंडप), Sabha Mandap (सभा मंडप), Prarthana Mandap (प्रार्थना मंडप), and Kirtan Mandap (कीर्तन मंडप). The periphery (Parkota - परकोटा) features four temples dedicated to Suryadev, Mother Bhagwati, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Shiva. The northern arm hosts a temple of Goddess Annapurna, while the southern arm showcases a temple of Lord Hanuman. Within the temple complex, additional shrines are dedicated to Maharishi Valmiki, Maharishi Vashishtha, Maharishi Vishwamitra, Maharishi Agastya, King Nishad, Mata Shabari, and Devi Ahilya. A Sita Kup (सीता कूप) is planned within the temple premises. The southwest section will witness the renovation of the ancient temple of Lord Shiva on the Navratna Kubera Hill, accompanied by the installation of a statue of Jatayu (जटायु).
The completion of the Ram Mandir has transformed Ayodhya into a major pilgrimage and tourism destination. Pilgrims and tourists alike flock to witness the architectural marvel, delve into the spiritual aura, and immerse themselves in the cultural richness that the temple exudes. The influx of visitors contributes to the economic development of the region, creating a symbiotic relationship between culture, spirituality, and commerce.
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