Ayodhya Ram Temple: A new-age Architectural Marvel Carved in Stone

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Why in News?
• Major Features of the Ram Temple

Why in News?

• A new landmark of India - both structural and spiritual - rises on Ayodhya's horizon as a new-age architectural marvel of elegant sandstones, diligently carved by craftspeople with dedication and devotion to Lord Ram.

Major Features of the Ram Temple

• Main Complex:
  • The Ram Mandir is a Hindu temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. It is located at the site of Ram Janmabhoomi, the birthplace of Lord Rama.
  • No iron or steel has been used in the construction of the grand structure. Stones have been sourced from Rajasthan's Bansi Paharpur area.
  • The temple complex, built in the traditional Nagara style, will be 380 feet long from the east to the west, 250 feet wide and 161 feet high.
  • Each floor of the temple will be 20 feet high and have a total 392 pillars and 44 gates.
  • Around the grand temple is a rectangular periphery called percota, a feature found in temples in south India, but not generally in north India.
  • The percota will be 14 feet wide and the periphery span 732 metres. The temple will be nestled within the percota periphery.
  • Images of Lord Hanuman, other deities, peacocks and flower patterns have been carved onto the stones, lending the structure a divine look.
  • More than 3,000 kg of flowers of over 20 varieties have been used to decorate the grand structure.
• Main Entrance:
  • Ornate statues of elephants, lions, Lord Hanuman and Garuda were installed at the main entrance leading to the temple earlier this month.
  • These statues have also been made using sandstone brought from Bansi Paharpur.
• Green Complex:
  • A major part of the temple compound will be a green area with hundreds of trees.
  • About 70 per cent of the complex will be a green area.
  • The complex will have two sewage treatment plants — a water treatment plant and a dedicated electricity line from the power house.
  • The fire brigade post will be able to source water from an underground reservoir.