Ayodhya Ram Mandir: A Marvel of Architecture and Spirituality
The Ayodhya Ram Mandir, dedicated to Lord Shri Rama, is a Hindu temple that is being constructed at Ram Janmabhoomi (the birthplace of Lord Shri Rama) in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The temple is expected to be inaugurated on January 22, 2024, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a grand ceremony that will be witnessed by millions of devotees across the world. The temple reflects the cultural and spiritual heritage associated with Lord Rama and holds immense significance for the Hindus. Here are 10 interesting facts about the temple that you should know:
1. The temple is designed by the Sompura family, who have a legacy of temple architecture spanning over 15 generations.
The chief architect of the temple is Chandrakant B. Sompura (CBS), who belongs to a family of temple architects from Gujarat. The Sompura family has designed and built over 200 temples in India and abroad, including the Akshardham temples in Delhi and Gandhinagar, the Swaminarayan temple in London, and the Somnath temple in Gujarat. CBS has designed the temple in the Nagara style, which is characterized by a central tower (shikhara) over the sanctum sanctorum, and subsidiary towers over the mandapas (halls).
2. The temple is built without using any iron or steel, using only stones, copper, white cement, and wood.
The temple is constructed using high-quality materials that are meant to last for thousands of years. The foundation of the temple is made of 14-meter thick rolled compacted concrete, which is layered with 56 layers of fly ash, dust, and chemicals. The plinth of the temple is made of granite stone from Karnataka and Telangana, and the walls and pillars are made of pink sandstone from Bans Paharpur in Rajasthan. The doors of the temple are made of teak wood and are gold-plated. The idols of the temple are made of shaligram rock, which is a rare type of rock found in the Gandaki river in Nepal.
3. The temple is the largest temple in India, covering an area of 70 acres, of which 70% is green area.
The temple complex spans over 70 acres of land, which was allocated to the Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust by the Supreme Court of India in 2019. The main temple occupies 2.77 acres of land, and has a length of 380 feet, a width of 250 feet, and a height of 161 feet. The temple has three floors, with a total of 392 pillars and 44 doors. The temple also has five mandapas, namely, Nritya Mandapa, Rang Mandapa, Sabha Mandapa, Prarthana Mandapa, and Kirtan Mandapa. The temple complex also includes a museum, a library, a research center, a food court, a guest house, and a Ram Katha gallery. The temple complex is designed to have 70% green area, with gardens, water bodies, and trees.
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4. The temple has a replica in Thailand, which was built by a Thai princess in 2010.
The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has a twin temple in Thailand, which was built by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the second daughter of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The princess, who is a devotee of Lord Rama, visited Ayodhya in 2003 and was inspired by the Ramayana. She decided to build a replica of the Ram Mandir in her country, and named it Dhammakaya Temple. The temple is located in Pathum Thani province, near Bangkok, and covers an area of 320 acres. The temple has a similar design and structure as the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, and also has idols of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman.
5. The temple has a garden based on astrological constellations, which will have 27 types of plants representing the 27 nakshatras (stars).
The temple complex will have a unique garden, which will be based on the concept of Vedic astrology. The garden will have 27 types of plants, each representing one of the 27 nakshatras, which are the lunar mansions in Hindu astrology. The plants will be arranged in a circular pattern, with a fountain in the center. The garden will also have a sundial, which will show the time and date according to the Hindu calendar. The garden will be a place of meditation and learning for the visitors, who will be able to know their nakshatra and its significance.
6. The temple has a time capsule buried 2000 feet below the ground, which contains a message about Ayodhya’s history and Lord Rama’s birthplace.
The temple has a special feature, which is a time capsule that is buried 2000 feet below the ground of the main temple. The time capsule is a metal cylinder, which contains a message written in Sanskrit, about the history of Ayodhya and the evidence of Lord Rama’s birthplace. The message is written in Chaupal Sanskrit, which is a concise form of Sanskrit that can express long sentences in few words. The purpose of the time capsule is to preserve the proof of Lord Rama’s existence and his connection with Ayodhya, so that no future disputes can arise even after thousands of years.
7. The temple has a Ram Rasoi, which will offer free food to the visitors and the needy.
The temple complex will have a Ram Rasoi, which is a community kitchen that will serve free food to the visitors and the needy. The Ram Rasoi will have a capacity to feed 10,000 people at a time, and will operate round the clock. The food will be prepared in a hygienic and eco-friendly manner, using solar energy and biogas. The food will be vegetarian and will include dishes like puri, sabzi, dal, rice, kheer, and halwa. The Ram Rasoi will also distribute food packets to the nearby villages and slums.
8. The temple will pay tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
The temple complex will have a memorial for the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, which was a campaign to reclaim the site of Lord Rama’s birthplace from the Babri Masjid, which was a mosque built by the Mughal emperor Babur in the 16th century. The memorial will have a wall of fame, which will display the names and photos of the martyrs, along with their stories. The memorial will also have a statue of Lord Hanuman, who is considered as the symbol of devotion and courage. The memorial will be a place of homage and gratitude for the martyrs, who laid down their lives for the cause of Ram Mandir.
9. The temple will have unique elements involved in the inauguration ceremony, which will include water from 155 holy rivers and soil from 2000 pilgrimage sites.
The temple will have a grand inauguration ceremony on January 22, 2024, which will involve some unique elements that will add to the sanctity and auspiciousness of the event. The ceremony will include water from 155 holy rivers from across the world, which will be used for the Jalabhishek (water offering) of Lord Rama. The ceremony will also include soil from 2000 pilgrimage sites from India and abroad, which will be used for the Bhumi Pujan (earth worship) of the temple site. The ceremony will also include special gifts from various states and countries, such as silver bricks, gold coins, silk cloths, and flowers.
10. The temple will have a Ram idol for the Pran Pratishtha (life installation), which will be made of eight metals and will weigh 2100 kg.
The temple will have a Ram idol for the Pran Pratishtha, which is a ritual to infuse life into the idol and make it a living deity. The Ram idol will be made of eight metals, namely, gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, tin, iron, and mercury. These metals are collectively known as Ashtadhatu, and are considered to have divine properties. The Ram idol will weigh 2100 kg, and will be adorned with precious stones and jewels. The Ram idol will also have a bell, which will be made of Ashtadhatu, and will weigh 2100 kg. The bell will produce a sound that can be heard up to a distance of 15 km. The bell will be rung during the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, which will mark the completion of the temple construction.
FAQs
When will the Ram Mandir be inaugurated and by whom?
The Ram Mandir will be inaugurated on January 22, 2024, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a grand ceremony that will be witnessed by millions of devotees across the world.
What is the significance of inaugurating the Ram Mandir on January 22, 2024?
January 22, 2024 is the day of Paush Shukla Kurma Dwadashi, which is considered to be an auspicious date for the consecration of Lord Rama’s idol in the temple.
How to visit or donate for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir?
One can visit the Ram Mandir by reaching Ayodhya, which is well-connected by road, rail, and air. One can also donate for the Ram Mandir by visiting the official website of the Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which provides various modes of donation.
Which celebrities are invited to the Ram Mandir inauguration?
The Ram Mandir inauguration will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries, as well as some celebrities from various fields. Some of the celebrities who are invited are Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Amitabh Bachchan, Mukesh Ambani, and Gautam Adani.
