Ayodhya: A new idol of Ram Lalla, crafted by Mysuru-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj, has been selected for installation at Ayodhya’s Ram temple, announced Champat Rai, the General Secretary of Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The current idol, venerated for the past 70 years, will also be retained in the sanctum sanctorum of the new temple.
The “Pran Pratishtha” ceremony for the Ram temple is scheduled for January 22, starting at 12:20 p.m. The newly crafted stone idol, estimated to weigh between 150-200 kg, portrays the deity as a five-year-old boy in a standing posture. On January 18, the idol will be placed at its designated ‘aasan’ within the sanctum sanctorum.
The auspicious timing for the ceremony has been determined by Varanasi-based Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid, a highly respected figure in Kashi and Ayodhya. Laxmikant Dixit of Varanasi will oversee the entire “karmakand vidhi” process for the sacred ceremony.
Consideration is being given to closing the temple for devotees on January 20 and 21, with the opportunity for devotees to pay their respects to the deity resuming on January 23.
The idol carved by Arun Yogiraj has received praise from members of the trust. Yogiraj’s past works include sculpting statues of Adiguru Shankaracharya at Kedarnath in Uttarakhand and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, installed at the India Gate canopy.
Rituals leading up to the “Pran Pratishtha” will commence on Tuesday and continue until January 21. On January 22, the essential rituals needed for the “Pran Pratishtha” will be conducted. The idol will also be involved in a ritual called ‘adhivas,’ encompassing ‘jal niwas,’ ‘fal niwas,’ ‘anna niwas,’ ‘aushadi niwas,’ and ‘ghee niwas.’