Construction of Ram Mandir's Spire to Begin in October, Design Finalized; Work on Parkota and Seven Mandaps Also Underway

Ayodhya 13 September: (Desk)Ram Temple Construction in Ayodhya on Track
The construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is progressing steadily, with the first and second floors expected to be completed by December 2024. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which is overseeing the project, has set an ambitious target to finish the entire temple complex by March 2025.

Ground Floor Completed
The ground floor of the three-story temple was built in December last year. The sanctum sanctorum, where the idol of Ram Lalla is currently placed, is located on this floor. The first floor will house the 'Ram Darbar', where devotees will be able to have 'darshan' of Lord Ram after visiting the Ram Lalla idol.

Spires and Peaks
The construction of the main spire and another spire of the grand temple is progressing rapidly. The peaks are expected to be ready within the next 300 days. There will be a total of five peaks in the temple, with three already prepared before the consecration ceremony. The main peak is being built 161 feet high and will be covered with a layer of gold.

Workforce and Materials
Around 1,500 workers are currently employed at the construction site, and more than 3,500 additional workers will be deployed soon to speed up the process. The workers are being brought in from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. The temple trust has also floated a tender to select four sculptors who will carve the idols using Makrana marble from Rajasthan.

Temples and Amenities
In addition to the main temple, the complex will also feature temples of six gods and goddesses along the 'parkota' (boundary wall). Temples dedicated to seven sages, including Valmiki, Vashishtha, Vishwamitra, and Agastya, will also be constructed. The 'parkota' itself will be ready before the arrival of the monsoon to protect devotees from rain and sun.

The road from Tedhi Bazaar to a post office via Ashrafi Bhawan and Vibhishan Kund will be widened by 15 meters to accommodate the increasing number of devotees. The Uttar Pradesh government has earmarked ₹100 crore (US$12 million) for 'Ramotsav', a series of religious events leading up to the consecration ceremony.

Consecration Ceremony
The consecration (Prana Pratishtha) ceremony of the newly made idol in the sanctum sanctorum is scheduled for January 22, 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited to perform the ceremony and undertook an 11-day fast in preparation. The event was marked by a public holiday in Uttar Pradesh, with the Government of India and some state governments declaring a half-day holiday.

Devotee Footfall
Since the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol on January 22, 2023, nearly 75 lakh devotees have visited the temple. On average, one lakh devotees visit the temple every day, and this figure is expected to reach two crore by the end of this month. The trust is making extensive preparations to accommodate the influx of devotees and invited guests from all over the world.

Challenges and Controversies
While the construction work is progressing smoothly, there have been some challenges and controversies along the way. Mahant Sitaram Das, the national spokesperson of the Nirmohi Akhara, criticized the BJP's decision to have the temple foundation begun by Prime Minister Modi, stating that the work should be done only by religious priests.

Some Hindutva proponents, including online social media influencers, raised objections over the temple's design and involvement of Muslims, claiming that they found Islamic motifs in the Ram Mandir. Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust, responded to these concerns by stating that the temple was being sculpted by experts, and there could be no question about their religion.

Despite these challenges, the trust remains committed to completing the temple construction by December 2024 and the entire complex by March 2025. The consecration ceremony on January 22, 2024, is expected to be a grand celebration, marking a significant milestone in the decades-long campaign to reclaim the disputed religious site in Ayodhya.