As days approach near for the grand 'Pran-Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, the idol carved out by sculptor Arun Yogiraj has been finalised for the consecration at the Ram Temple on January 22.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi confirmed the news on his social media handle on Monday, saying that the idol of Lord Rama carved by the renowned sculptor from Karnataka will be installed in Ayodhya. He said, “This is another example of Rama Hanuman's inextricable relationship. There is no mistaking that this is an important service to Ramlallani from Karnataka, the land of Hanuman.”
Arun Yogiraj's mother also shared her excitement on the development. “It is the happiest moment for us, I wanted to see him crafting the sculpture, but he said he would take me on the last day, I will go on the day of the installation,” she was quoted as saying to ANI.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa took to his social media to congratulate Yogiraj and expressed his pride in the selection of Lord Ram's idol for installation in Ram Mandir. He said, “The idol of Lord Rama sculpted by the sculptor Sri Arun Yogiraj of Mysore has been selected for installation in the magnificent Sri Rama Mandir of Ayodhya, which has doubled the pride and happiness of the entire devotees of the state.”
Arun Yogiraj hails from Mysuru, Karnataka and has sculpted several masterpieces, including the statue of Adi Shankaracharya in Kedarnath and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose placed under the canopy behind India Gate in Delhi.
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra is the trust entrusted with the construction and management of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Designs by three sculptors were under consideration by the Trust. Among the figures being considered for the grand installation inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Temple was a 51-inch-tall idol, depicting a five-year-old 'Ram Lalla'.
Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) in Ayodhya will begin on January 16, a week before the main ceremony. The grand consecration ceremony of Ram temple will be held on January 22 and PM Modi is scheduled to attend the consecration ceremony.
Lakshmi Kant Dixit, a priest from Varanasi will perform the main rituals of the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla on January 22.
(Input from ANI)