“The temple doors hold sacred significance as they stand as a divine barrier between devotees and Bhagwan. Taking on the responsibility of crafting such doors for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir has bestowed upon us a profound duty, and we approach this task with humility. In just a few days, we will be presenting our intricately hand-carved wooden doors for the consecration ceremony scheduled for January 22nd in Ayodhya,” stated Sharat Babu, Director of Anuradha Timbers International.
In an exclusive conversation with the Organiser, Ch. Sharat Babu shared the remarkable journey that led to the prestigious task of crafting the doors for Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir. He attributed their selection to a divine connection, citing their previous work on skilfully carved wooden doors for Yadadri Laxminarasimha Swamy’s temple, Telangana, which seemingly paved the way for this sacred undertaking.
The Bhangyanagar-based Anuradha Timber was chosen by a selection committee consisting of Tata Engineering Consultancy, Larsen and Toubro, and the Ayodhya Trust.
Sharat detailing the specifics of their contribution, revealing that in the initial phase, they are tasked with designing 18 doors for the temple’s interior and another 100 doors for the temple premises. The design of the doors is rooted in the Nagara Shaili, a centuries-old architectural style renowned in northern Indian temples.
Unlike our previous projects, this is a prestigious and time-sensitive project, and we raced against the clock to deliver the intricate doors within six to seven months. As a latest update, a process of gold plating for the wooden doors is currently in progress, he added.
The wood itself, carefully chosen from Balarshah, Maharashtra, comes from trees aged between 80 and 100 years, ensuring the longevity of these doors for centuries to come.
He emphasised the personal touch invested in this work, sharing that their entire family is involved in delivering this project. The wooden crafting operation for the temple is taking place at a makeshift workshop in Ayodhya, a site suggested by the trust overseeing the construction. Chandrakant Sompura, the mandir’s chief architect, handed over the design on which they are working.
The workforce comprises around 60 skilled craftsmen from Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, each bringing their expertise to the intricate carvings.
He said their family-operated enterprise has a legacy spanning over years. Their extensive experience encompasses various facets of the timber industry, including the sale of wood and serving as importers and exporters of teak wood. They specialise in handling bulk volumes and are recognised as wholesale dealers, catering to markets in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
