AYODHYA: The Ram temple in Ayodhya will be earthquake-resistant and sturdy enough to last over 1,000 years, said the members of the temple trust which invited mediapersons on Tuesday for an on-site inspection. They expressed satisfaction over the pace of construction work and hoped that it would be opened for devotees by January 2024.
The temple is being constructed without using iron bars. Instead of iron, copper chips are being used to join stones, they said. The earthquake-resistant temple will have 392 pillars and 12 doors. The entire compound will have five temples.
Trust general secretary Champat Rai said 50% of the construction work of the temple has been completed and the overall progress is satisfactory. “We are satisfied with the speed and quality of work being done,” said Rai.
The temple will be opened to devotees in January 2024 after the installation of idols of Ram Lalla in the Sanctum Sanctorum of the shrine on the festival of Makar Sankranti, said Rai. Over 500 giant stones have already been placed in the Sanctum Sanctorum.
The construction work of the temple is on after Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation on August 5, 2020. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visits the site regularly to have an update.
According to Rai, the dimension of the main temple would be 350X250 feet. As per the advice of the PM, a study is being done to assess the impact of the footfall on the five kilometre area around the temple once the temple is opened to devotees from across the world.
The Sanctum Sanctorum will have 160 pillars while the first floor will have 82. In all, the structure will have 12 entry gates made of teak wood while a majestic main entrance, the 'Singh Dwar' will lead devotees to the temple.
Granite stones are being used in the construction of the temple which is spread over an area of 2.7 acres. Stones are being brought from Rajasthan's Sirohi. On the other hand, old stones which were being brought since the time of Ram Temple movement and engraved at the workshop here are also being used, Rai said.
Project manager Jagdish Aphale said that during his site inspection on October 23, the PM had asked about the use of granite in the temple, he was told that it would be totally water-proof and ensure that there was no damage to the sanctum sanctorum for the next 1000 years.
He also said that as per the PM's advice, the sanctum sanctorum had been constructed in such a way that the sun rays fell on Ram Lalla's statue on Ram Navami. "The PM said he would come to witness that spectacle," he added.
The temple premises will have five temples, including Panchdev Temple as well as Surya Dev Temple and Vishnu Devta Temple. The Singh Dwar will be constructed on the front of the first floor, leading to the dance, colour and esoteric pavilions.
Mediapersons were taken to the elevated spot from where PM Modi had observed the construction of the temple on Sunday. The temple is being built at a cost of Rs 1,800 crore. The first floor of the temple will be ready by December 2023.
