Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has taken over the responsibility of operation, management and maintenance of the International Ram Katha Museum and Art Gallery, built on the banks of Saryu in Ayodhya.
The Culture Department and Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), in this regard at a special programme organised in the Sant Gadge Ji Maharaj Auditorium of Sangeet Natak Academy at Gomtinagar. With this agreement, the Trust has also been entrusted with the responsibility for collecting more than 1000 ancient and rare items related to Bhagwan Shri Ram.
Tourism and Culture Department Minister Jaiveer Singh and Shri Ram Mandir Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra attended the signing ceremony. Besides, the General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Champat Rai, Temple Construction Committee member Anup Kumar Mittal, Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra, Principal Secretary of Culture Department Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Director of Culture Department Shishir and Special Secretary Rakesh Chandra Sharma were also present.
Meanwhile, Dhendhiya folk dance was presented during the programme to enthrall the viewers. Apart from this, Namami Ramam dance drama was staged during the programme. Also, Ayodhya Research Institute’s magazine ‘Sakshi Issue-59’, Lucknow’s Ramlila special issue and Shri Ram book in art and culture were released.
Speaking on the occasion, Uttar Pradesh’s Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh said: “It is a matter of great joy that the Culture Department has entered into a historic agreement with the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra.
Memories, antiquities related to Bhagwan Shri Ram and statues, inscriptions, manuscripts written on copper plates etc. found in 1992 and at the time of construction of Ram temple are preserved in the International Ram Katha Museum. A collection of jewellery and clothes from Indian and foreign Ramlilas related to Bhagwan Shri Ram is also stored here.”
He added that on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, continuous work is being done to educate the common people on the importance of preservation of ancient heritage, folk art, culture, civilization and heritage. He further informed that 2.5 crore tourists visited Ayodhya last year, adding that the number is continuously increasing with the work all-round development of Ayodhya city taking place.
Ancient and rare sculptures and important antiquities are stored in Ram Katha Museum. Their number is around 1000. Sculptures of the Gupta and Sunga periods and ancient sandstone sculptures are also kept at the museum. These sculptures are said to be around 300-350 years ago. Besides, it has a rich collection of many ancient coins, belonging to different eras. It also contains many important manuscripts.
Furthermore, there are many gold and silver statues here. Apart from this, ancient statues of Luv and Kush are also present here. The museum also houses many important remains obtained from the excavation of the Ram temple site. Along with this, many items related to Gumnami Baba are also kept here. Apart from this, there is also a collection of about 1000 books here.
Many important objects related to Shri Ram from all over the world have also been displayed in the art gallery. Earlier this museum was established in Tulsi Memorial Building of Ayodhya. Later, it was shifted to a separate building on the banks of Saryu which has been constructed at a cost of around Rs 13 crore. After handing over the International Ram Katha Museum, built on an area of about 2.8 acres, to Shri Ram Trust, those antiquities which were found during the excavation at Ram Janmabhoomi have also been included in it. Now people will be able to see ancient and rare evidence and objects related to Shri Ram at one place.
(with inputs from ANI)
