First Look of the Ram Lalla Idol at the Shri Ram Janmaboomi Temple in Ayodhya
On January 22, 2024, a historic event took place in Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. The idol of Ram Lalla, or Ram as a child, was consecrated in the newly constructed Ram temple, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a grand ceremony.
The idol, carved in black stone by a renowned sculptor from Mysuru, represents a fusion of Lord Ram and Lord Vishnu, the supreme god in Hinduism. The idol, which is 51 inches tall, was placed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, where it will be worshipped by millions of devotees from across the world.
Check out the first Visual of the Ram Lalla Idol
#WATCH | Ram Lalla idol at the Shri Ram Janmaboomi Temple in Ayodhya#RamMandirPranPrathistha pic.twitter.com/QOW51jbt5L
— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024
The journey of the idol
The idol of Ram Lalla was crafted by Arun Yogiraj, a famous sculptor from Mysuru, who was selected by the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust, the body overseeing the construction and management of the temple. Yogiraj, who has been sculpting idols for over 30 years, said that he was honoured and blessed to be chosen for this prestigious project.
He said that he spent six months working on the idol, which was made from a unique Krishna stone, a type of black granite that is considered auspicious and rare. He said that he followed the guidelines given by the trust and the scriptures, and tried to capture the essence of Lord Ram and Lord Vishnu in the idol. He also said that he added a touch of childlikeness to the idol, to reflect the innocence and joy of Ram Lalla.
The idol was transported from Mysuru to Ayodhya in a special vehicle, accompanied by a team of security personnel and temple officials. The idol reached Ayodhya on January 19, 2024, and was welcomed by a huge crowd of devotees, who showered it with flowers and chants of “Jai Shri Ram”. The idol was then taken to the temple premises, where it was kept in a special chamber for three days, during which various rituals and prayers were performed to prepare it for the consecration ceremony.
The consecration ceremony
The consecration ceremony, or the ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony, is a sacred ritual in Hinduism, in which the idol is infused with life and divine energy. The ceremony was held on January 22, 2024, which was also the auspicious day of Basant Panchami, the festival of spring and learning. The ceremony began at 12:20 pm and lasted for about 40 minutes. It was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also performed the ‘bhoomi pujan’ or the ground-breaking ceremony for the temple on August 5, 2020. Other dignitaries who attended the ceremony included Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and several religious leaders and saints. The ceremony was also broadcast live on various TV channels and social media platforms, allowing millions of people to witness the historic moment.
The ceremony was conducted by a team of priests, who performed various rituals and chants, as per the Vedic scriptures. The idol was first bathed in holy water, milk, honey, and other substances, and then adorned with clothes, jewellery, and flowers. The idol’s eyes, which were covered with a yellow cloth, were then unveiled, revealing the divine face of Ram Lalla. The priests then invoked the presence of Lord Ram and Lord Vishnu in the idol, and offered prayers and offerings to them.
The idol was then placed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, on a silver throne, where it will remain for the next 12 years, until the completion of the temple’s construction. The idol was then worshipped by the Prime Minister and other dignitaries, who also offered their respects to the Ram Janmabhoomi, the site where Lord Ram is believed to have been born.
#WATCH | First visuals of the Ram Lalla idol at the Shri Ram Janmaboomi Temple in Ayodhya pic.twitter.com/E0VIhkWu4g
— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024
The significance of the idol and the temple
The idol and the temple of Ram Lalla have a deep significance for the Hindu faith and culture, as well as for the history and politics of India. Lord Ram is considered to be the ideal king, the embodiment of righteousness, and the hero of the epic Ramayana, which is one of the most popular and influential stories in the world. Lord Ram is also worshipped as the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the supreme god in Hinduism, who descends on earth to restore order and justice. Ram Lalla, or Ram as a child, is a special form of Lord Ram, who represents the innocence, joy, and love of God.
The temple of Ram Lalla is also the culmination of a long and contentious struggle, which involved legal battles, political movements, and communal violence. The Ram Janmabhoomi site, where the temple is being built, was the subject of a dispute between Hindus and Muslims, who claimed that a mosque, known as the Babri Masjid, was built on the site by demolishing a temple that existed there.
The dispute led to several clashes and riots, the most violent of which occurred in 1992, when a mob of Hindu activists demolished the mosque, sparking nationwide violence that killed over 2,000 people. The dispute was finally resolved in 2019, when the Supreme Court of India ruled in favour of the Hindus, and granted the site to the trust for the construction of the temple. The court also allotted a separate plot of land to the Muslims for the construction of a mosque.
The idol and the temple of Ram Lalla are thus seen as symbols of faith, justice, and harmony, by millions of devotees, who believe that the temple will usher in a new era of peace and prosperity for the country and the world. The temple is also expected to boost the tourism and economy of Ayodhya, which is already a holy city for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs. The temple complex, which will span over 67 acres of land, will include a museum, a library, a research centre, a food court, and a guest house, among other facilities. The temple is expected to be completed by 2036, and will be one of the largest and most magnificent temples in the world.
The first visuals of the idol
The first visuals of the idol of Ram Lalla were released by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), a Hindu nationalist organisation that was instrumental in the temple movement. The image, which was widely circulated on social media and news outlets, showed the idol in a standing posture, with its eyes covered with a yellow cloth, and a garland of roses around its neck. The image evoked a sense of awe and devotion among the devotees, who expressed their happiness and gratitude for being able to witness the historic moment.
Many devotees also shared their own photos and videos of the idol, which they captured during the consecration ceremony or the public darshan, which began on January 23, 2024. The public darshan, or the public viewing of the idol, is open to all devotees, who have to follow the Covid-19 protocols and the security arrangements. The devotees have to register online, and can visit the temple between 7 am and 7 pm, for a duration of 15 minutes. The devotees can also offer their donations and offerings to the temple trust, either online or offline.
The first visuals of the idol of Ram Lalla have thus marked a historic and memorable occasion for millions of devotees, who have waited for decades for this moment. The idol and the temple of Ram Lalla have fulfilled the aspirations and sentiments of the Hindu community, and have also signified the triumph of faith, justice, and harmony in the country.
The idol and the temple of Ram Lalla have also showcased the rich and diverse culture and heritage of India, and have attracted the attention and admiration of the world. The idol and the temple of Ram Lalla are thus a source of pride and joy for the nation, and a blessing for the humanity.
