In a momentous development on January 1, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust Kshetra officially selected the idol of Ram Lalla, crafted by Mysuru-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj, for installation in the sanctum sanctorum known as the Garbh Griha. The announcement came after a meticulous process that involved three competing idols, ultimately designating Arun Yogiraj’s creation for the prestigious central installation. The other two idols will find their places within the temple at separate locations.
Earlier in the day, Kameshwar Chaupal, a member of the Ram Mandir Trust, clarified that there was no competitive aspect among the three idols, as all of them were destined for installation within the Ram Mandir premises. He stated, “All three idols of Ramlala are ready and all three idols will be used in the temple…All three statues were necessary, the statues will be installed at three places. Keeping this in mind, all three statues have been made,” during an interaction with news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Patna, Bihar: On the issue of the idol of Lord Ram, Ram Mandir Trust member Kameshwar Chaupal said, “…All three idols of Ramlala are ready, all three idols will be used in the temple. There was no competition of any kind in this. All three statues were necessary, the… pic.twitter.com/6Ig0IFTCUq
— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2024
Arun Yogiraj’s creation stands out for its use of ‘Krishna Shila’ or black stone sourced from Karnataka, particularly from the vicinity of Karkala, a small town about 60 kilometers away from Mangalore. Krishna Shila, known for its attractiveness and durability, weighed an impressive 10 tonnes and measured 6 feet in width, 4 feet in thickness, and almost one foot in length. The stone was specially transported from Nellikaru village in Karkala a month ago.
A trust official said, “The stone, weighing 10 tonnes, 6 feet wide, 4 feet thick, and almost one foot long, was specially brought from Nellikaru village in Karkala, almost a month ago.”
The decision to utilise three different idols for the consecration ceremony was revealed back in May by General Secretary Champat Rai. Dr. Ganesh Bhatt from Karnataka, Satya Narayan Pandey from Jaipur, and Arun Yogiraj were entrusted with crafting the idols on three different stones at distinct locations.
Evidently, in May, General Secretary Champat Rai had said, “The construction work of the idol of Ram Lalla has started. Dr Ganesh Bhatt from Karnataka, Satya Narayan Pandey from Jaipur, and Arun Yogiraj from Karnataka are making idols at three different places on three different stones.”
#WATCH | Ayodhya, UP: The construction work of the idol of Ram Lalla has started. Dr Ganesh Bhatt from Karnataka, Satya Narayan Pandey from Jaipur, and Arun Yogiraj from Karnataka are making idols at three different places on three different stones. It is expected that the idol… pic.twitter.com/0PBCgjXbP0
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) May 30, 2023
The finely sculpted Ram Lalla idols, based on the sketches by internationally acclaimed artist Vasudeo Kamath from Karnataka’s Karkala town, underwent construction with the promise that the most exquisite one would grace the ‘garbhagriha,’ while the remaining two would find a place in another temple.
As preparations for the grand consecration ceremony progress, reports indicate that the tailor responsible for crafting outfits for Ram Lalla since 1985 has begun working on a unique yellow dress for the idol. Members of the tailor’s family were invited to measure the finalised idol for the ceremonial attire, adding an extra layer of significance to the upcoming event.
