New Delhi: The grand Ram Mandir to be built in Ayodhya will be based on a 30-year-old model designed by a trust affiliated to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), the government-appointed Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust said Friday.
The model was developed by the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, one of the first organisations set up to lay the groundwork for the construction of the Ram temple back in 1985.
ThePrint had reported that the model of the temple has 424 carved pillars, each measuring 16 feet, carved ceilings and a special throne for Ram Lalla. The complex includes a Sita rasoi (kitchen), dharamshala (accommodation for visitors), a separate compound for bhajans, a garb griha (inner sanctum), a specially-designed throne for Ram, a ‘Singh Dwar’ with carvings of lions and elephants at the entry gate, and a rangmandap (stage) for cultural activities.
To ensure no delay in starting construction work, the newly set-up trust said the existing model of the temple — which has two storeys — will be followed.
However, any decision on making changes to the design, including adding a storey or increasing the temple’s height, will be taken later, said Champat Rai, secretary of the trust.
“Our priority right now is to build it according to the VHP model,” Rai added.
Around 70 per cent of the groundwork for the temple has already been completed. More than 200 labourers have already been working on elements of the temple’s construction at a workshop in Ayodhya for the past three decades.
Rai said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had emphasised on making sure nothing disturbed the peace of the country. “He said temple construction should be carried out smoothly without any bitterness,” he said.
Nritya Gopal Das, president of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra, and three other members had met Prime Minister Modi at his residence Thursday.
Also read: For grand Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas is left with just Rs 2 crore
Design sorted, logistics remain
Until the temple is fully constructed, the idol of Ram Lalla, considered very sacred in Ayodhya, will have to be moved from its current location — a makeshift temple at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple site.
Rai said decisions on when the idol will be shifted and so on, will be made at the next meeting of the trust by Nripendra Misra, the former principal secretary to PM Modi, who is in charge of the construction.
“This is an issue which will be looked into by the Uttar Pradesh administration, security and Nripendra Misra, who is the chairperson of Ram Temple construction. Considering this is a security issue, we want them to discuss and decide what is best. We will not interfere in this. In the past, there has been an attack so security is a major concern. Ram Lalla will be placed in a makeshift temple and for us what is important is that it is accessible to the people,” Rai said.
He also clarified that the construction of the temple will not begin on 2 April, the day of Ram Navami, as was being reported.
“We had never decided upon this date and (it) is impractical because during Ram Navami, lakhs of devotees visit Ayodhya,” he said.
The trust is planning to carry out an inspection of the area soon. It is also planning to begin looking for office space in Ayodhya and will also open a bank account in the temple town, Rai said.
Also read: A Dalit laid first brick for Ram Mandir. Now, Modi must appoint a Dalit woman as its priest
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