Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is an architectural spectacle with great religious and cultural importance. It has been created with the intent to take Lord Rama’s life and mission to the masses, and is sure to boost the tourism industry and economy of India.
The temple successfully attempts to narrate the life story of Lord Rama by portraying important incidents and people in his life, as a part of its design. It is equipped with modern amenities and all set to be one of the most famous tourist places in India. Here is a look at some lesser-known facts about Ram Mandir, Ayodhya.
14 Little-known Unique Facts about Ram Mandir, Ayodhya
1. Awe-Inspiring Architecture
Who designed Ram Mandir? Mr. Chandrakant Sompura is the main architect of this temple. What is the architectural style of Ram Mandir? The temple has been built using the Nagara architectural style. Around 1000 workers have been a part of the construction of Ram Mandir. Tata and L&T, two famed names in the construction sector have looked after the project.
2. The idol of ‘Ram Lalla’
Lord Rama’s idol installed in Ayodhya Ram Mandir, is in the form of a 5-year-old child (Ram Lalla). It is prepared using black-coloured stone (shaligram, a rare stone from Nepal) and is 51 inches in height. The idol has been carved by Arun Yogiraj, a famous sculptor from Karnataka.
The idol has been designed and placed in such a way that every year, on the noon of Ram Navami, sunrays will fall directly on the idol’s forehead.
3. World’s Third-largest Temple
The temple complex is set to be the world’s third-largest Hindu temple. How big is Ram Mandir? The length of Ram Mandir is 380 feet, its width is 250 feet and its height is 161 feet. It is built on an area spanning 2.7 acres. Ayodhya Ram Mandir is a 3-storeyed structure, with each floor being 20 feet in height. The temple has a total of 392 pillars and 44 gates.
4. Majestic Mandapas
The temple includes 5 domes and a tower which has been built above the sanctorum. It has 5 mandapas which include kudu mandapa, nritya mandapa, rang mandapa, kirtan mandapa and prarthana mandapa.
40 Surya Stambhas (sun-themed pillars) have been constructed along the road leading to the temple.
5. Timeless Craftsmanship
Built to endure for a millennium, the materials, carefully chosen and sourced, ensure the timeless durability of the Ram Mandir. The temple has been constructed without the use of either iron or cement. So, what materials have been used in the Ram Temple construction? Stones, copper, sandstone, pink stone and wood are the other materials used in the temple’s construction. The stone has been sourced from Bansi Paharpur, which is known to get stronger with age.
2 lakh bricks collected from various parts of India have been used in the foundation of this temple. Each brick has the words ‘Sri Rama’ inscribed in a different language.
6. Distinctive Percota Design
A 14-feet wide percota with its 4 corners dedicated to Sun God, Devi Bhagwati, Lord Ganesh and Lord Shiva, is a unique feature of the Ram Mandir; unique because percotas are usually found in the temples of South India, but Ram Mandir has it, despite being located in North India.
7. International Participation
As a symbol of global spiritual unity, soil from Thailand has been sent for the consecration ceremony of Ram Mandir on January 22, 2024. The inclusion of Thai soil signifies a shared reverence for the epic of Ramayana, fostering cultural connections and unity.
8. Ashtadhatu Bell
The magnificent bell of the Ram Mandir, a single cast piece measuring 6’x5′ and weighing 2,100kg, is crafted from “Ashtadhatu” — a blend of eight metals, including gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, tin, iron, and mercury. The bell’s sound reaches an impressive 15 km.
9. Underground Time Capsule
The placement of a time capsule beneath the temple symbolizes a commitment to preserving its cultural and historical significance for future generations. Located 2000 feet below the main temple, the Sanskrit-inscribed time capsule aims to serve as an enduring proof of Lord Ram’s connection to Ayodhya, mitigating any potential disputes even after a thousand years.
10. Other Shrines in Ram Mandir
Whose shrines does Ram Mandir include? It includes shrines of Lord Hanuman and goddess Annapurna, as also shrines of Maharshi Valmiki, Maharshi Vashishtha, Maharshi Vishwamitra, Maharshi Agastya, Nishad Raj, Shabri and Ahilya, who were some of the most important people in Lord Rama’s life.
11. Recreational Amenities
Apart from the main temple, it also houses designated spaces for holy offerings, rituals, display of archaeological evidences related to Lord Rama, a hall for mass prayer, a meditation centre, an exhibition hall, an open-air theatre, a communication centre, a reading room, a cow shelter, a lily pond with musical fountains, a lodging and boarding facility, activity area for kids, a food shelter and a lamp tower.
12. Green Cover
Several trees have been preserved and many more will be planted in the temple area, converting it into a green belt. A flower garden and plantation based on the concept of astrological constellations is one of the interesting features of the Ram Mandir.
13. More Infrastructure
The premises will have its own sewage treatment and water treatment plants, as well as a fire brigade system and electricity line. It will also have facilities like a bank/ATM, public utilities like washrooms, lifts for senior citizens, a pilgrim centre and emergency medicine.
14. Record-Breaking Contributions
The proceedings for the temple’s construction have come from the common masses. A nationwide fundraising drive was launched by Vishwa Hindu Parishad, in which about 55 crore people from 12 crore Hindu families were reached. An amount over 2100 crores was collected during the campaign. This is another striking fact about Ayodhya Ram Mandir.
Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Rama, who is an important Hindu deity and the central figure in the Indian epic Ramayana. He is highly revered for his righteous behavior, and his life and mission are an inspiration for the Hindus. So, Ram Mandir being constructed at Lord Rama’s birthplace Ayodhya, has added to the temple’s significance on the cultural scene of India. Ram Mandir could transform Ayodhya into the cultural capital of India and draw millions of tourists around the world.
