Sculptures Adorning Grandeur: Elephant, Lion, Hanuman Ji & Garuda Statues Grace Entrance of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir, Check Features of Grand Temple

The much awaited “pran pratishtha,” or consecration ceremony of Lord Ram Lalla at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, is rapidly approaching. The event will happen on January 22, 2024, at 12:20 p.m. in the temple’s garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum). There will be a 5-year-old child form of Lord Ram depicted on the idol.

The 71-acre grand temple complex comprises five pavilions, namely Gun Mandap, Rang Mandap, Nritya Mandap, Kirtan Mandap, and Prarthana Mandap, in addition to the sanctum sanctorum. The temple has three floors, each measuring 19.5 feet, and is 161 feet high.

HERE ARE THE FEATURES OF THE GRAND TEMPLE COMPLEX IN AYODHYA

1. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi trust claims that the three-story temple is constructed with 20-foot walls that follow the traditional Nagar architectural style. Nowhere in the temple’s construction is iron used.

2. Its dimensions are 161 feet in height, 250 feet in width, and 380 feet in length (east-west).

3. There are 44 doors and 392 pillars throughout the complex.

4. There will be a Shri Ram Darbar on the first floor and the childhood form of Bhagwan Shri Ram, the idol of Shri Ram Lalla, in the sanctum sanctorum.

5. Five mandaps (Hall) are also included in the complex: the Nritya, Rang, Sabha, Prarthna, and Kirtan Mandaps.

6. The temple’s walls and pillars are covered in statues of gods and goddesses.

7. To enter the temple, go through the Singh Dwar and up 32 stairs on the east side.

8. The temple complex also has elevators and ramps for the elderly and those with disabilities.

9. The temple is surrounded by the Parkota, a rectangular compound wall that is 732 meters long and 14 feet wide.

10. There are four temples at the four corners of the complex, one each for Surya Dev, Devi Bhagwati, Ganesh Bhagwan, and Bhagwan Shiv. Maa Annapurna’s temple is located in the northern arm, while Hanuman ji’s temple is located in the southern arm.

11. The temple is close to the “Sita Koop,” a historically significant well.

12. Temples honoring Maharshi Valmiki, Maharshi Vashishtha, Maharshi Vishwamitra, Maharshi Agastya, Nishad Raj, Mata Shabri, and the esteemed consort of Devi Ahilya are proposed to be located inside the Ram Mandir complex.

13. A statue of Jatayu has been erected at Kuber Tila, in the southwest portion of the complex, where the ancient temple of Bhagwan Shiv has been restored.

14. A 14-meter-thick layer of roller-compacted concrete (RCC) was used to build the temple’s foundation, giving it the appearance of man-made rock. In addition, a granite plinth 21 feet high has been built to guard against ground moisture.

15. The Mandir complex also features an independent power station, a water treatment plant, a sewage treatment plant, and a water supply for fire safety.

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16. A 25,000-person Pilgrims Facility Center (PFC) is currently under construction. It will offer pilgrims locker rooms and medical services.

17. There is a separate block in the complex with a swimming area, restrooms, a washbasin, open taps, etc.

18. The temple also features statues of Hanuman Ji, Garuda, lions, and elephants positioned at the entrance gate, atop tiers of slabs that are erected on either side of the stairs. The pink sandstone used to sculpt these statues came from the village of Bansi Paharpur in Rajasthan.

19. According to a senior temple trust official cited by PTI, these statues were placed at the temple’s main entrance on Thursday.

20. All of the traditional and indigenous technology of India was used in the construction of the mandir, with a focus on water and environmental conservation, leaving 70% of the 70-acre site undeveloped.