A GLITTERING NEW TEMPLE FOR LORD RAM AT AYODHYA

 

The Prana Pratishta (consecration) of a majestic statue of Ram Lalla (Bhagwan Ram as a child) in a grand new temple at Ayodhya, the deity’s birthplace in Uttar Pradesh, on January 22, 2024, proved to be an event of great grandeur.  The colourfully flower-bedecked temple was a spectacle for adoration and admiration.  The occasion was marked by an overwhelming display of devotional fervour by a multitude of people at the venue, elsewhere in the country and abroad.

 

Ayodhya Ram temple enchantingly bedecked

with flowers for the consecration

 

  A DATE WITH THE DIVINITY

(By Subbaram Danda)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi played a leading role in conducting elaborate consecration rituals in the Garbagriha (sanctum sanctorum) of the temple, assisted by Vedic scholars.  He was accompanied by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, UP Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.  At the end of it all, Prana Pratishta attained fruition.   Earlier, on January 18, the new statue was shifted from the place where it was sculpted to the Garbagriha and installed there after preliminary rituals. The sculptor of the idol is Arun Yogiraj from Karnataka.  He called himself "the luckiest person on earth." 

 

Prime Minister Modi arriving for the consecration 

The new Ram Lalla statue, made of Shyamal (dark) stone, stands gracefully on a gold-plated pedestal, with a smiling face, chubby cheeks, serene eyes and a radiant tilak on the forehead. The richly ornamented, tastefully attired and colourfully garlanded 51-inch idol holds a bow in the left arm, an arrow in the right and a quiver on the back.   The small old idol of Ram Lalla, which was all along being worshipped in a separate abode, was also placed in front of the new statue.  It is intended to be the utsav murthi.     

 

A full length view of the consecrated idol of 

Ram Lalla in the Garbagriha

Smiling Ram Lalla

 

Among the 7,000 invitees were many seers and prominent personalities representing the wide spectrum of the Indian society.  Select overseas celebrities were also present.  The historic event was telecast live throughout India and in several foreign countries.  It was a big draw at the iconic Times Square in New York city, where it was live streamed.

 

A section of the invitees

The three-storey main temple standing on a raised platform with five mandaps is a magnificent marvel with spectacular features.  Built in the Nagara style, its architecture reflects the rich heritage of Bharat.  The sculptures of deities and celestial figures on walls and pillars as also the artworks and carvings on ceilings and floors are bound to delight the devotees.  The temple complex spreads massively over 67 acres.  The main structure is 161 feet tall at its highest point, 380 feet long from east to west and 250 feet wide from south to north. 

 

Decorated interiors of a mandap

Above all, what mesmerizes everyone is that all the temple’s 44 teakwood doors will be gold-plated.   Distinctive designs have been conceived for the doors of the sanctum sanctorum and of the shrines of deities Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman elsewhere.   Several gold-plated doors, including the ones for the sanctum, have already been installed.  

 

A set of gold-plated doors displaying exquisite designs

An awesome highlight is that at noon on Sriram Navami day every year a beam of sunlight will cast a brilliant tilak on the forehead of the idol in the sanctum sanctorum.  This Surya tilak phenomenon will, however, last only a short period. It will all be made possible by a device mounted on the shikara of the temple. For the execution of this project, two reputed institutes, one specializing in astrophysics and the other in building research, have been roped in.  Further, meticulous attention has been paid to the temple lighting, which has been customized for every inch of space.  One outcome is that in the night the entire structure dazzles colourfully.  

  

The temple dazzling at night with colour lights

According to the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which manages all temple affairs, there would not be any necessity for repairs to the temple for a thousand years and more. Very deep foundation has been laid primarily with stones and compacted cement.  No steel or iron has been used either in the foundation or in the super structure.  Because of these special measures, the temple will be able to withstand an earthquake of even a very high magnitude.

 

A deep foundation and special construction 

techniques ensure temple's long life 

The entry to the temple is from the east.  After passing through the simhadwar, the devotees have to climb 32 steps.  As they walk up, they can see on either side of the steps the figures of an elephant and a lion.  Finally, there will be a statue of Hanuman on one side and of Garuda on the other.  In the main temple on the first floor, Darbar of Shri Ram will come up. A rectangular parikrama pathway of about 2,400 feet in length and 14 feet in width will surround the temple on all sides. Shrines dedicated to Surya, Bhagavati, Ganesha and Shiva will be constructed at the four corners of the parikrama. Also, Valmiki, Vasishta, Vishwamitra, Agastya, Nishad raj, Sabari and Ahalya will have their abodes in the complex.

The ground plan of the temple complex

A water metro is a novel facility that Ayodhya will have.  It is a unique ferry service cruising on the Sarayu river, whose water front has undergone a major makeover.  A 50-seater air-conditioned craft will sail between two selected ghats on the river providing an extensive view of the city to the visitors.  The riverbanks are also the sites for regular laser shows and Aarthis.. More gratifying is the fact that over 200 developmental projects with a large outlay have been taken up.  All these are designed to bring about what is described as “the biggest transformation of the ancient city.”  On completion, Ayodhya is expected to become “the most beautiful city in the world.”

 

Scaled-up Ayodhya with the Sarayu river 

The entire ancient city is being spruced up.  Many of the roads now wear an attractive look with arches, art works and ornamental lights.  The Dharma path, one of the four new roads, features large rectangular brick boards put up at intervals on either side that showcase Ramayana paintings.  A long decorative arch gracefully spans the entire width of the broad Dharma path at a vantage point.  At the centre of the arch shines an imposing cut-out of the Sun God riding seven horses.  Further, Surya themed designer lamp posts with a big spherical yellow bulb at the top flank the road.  All this is intended to represent symbolically that Lord Ram belongs to Surya vamsa. 

 

A Sun-themed arch over Dharma Path

Nearby, a picturesque chowk displays a huge, exquisite replica of the Indian classical musical instrument Veena.  Mounted high on a circular base, it attracts celebrities as well as  commoners.  It has become a much sought after selfie backdrop for all visitors.  To enhance the beauty of the city further, numerous parks have been laid out that are illuminated at night by solar power.

 

Indian musical instrument Veena 

at a prominent chowk in Ayodhya 

The other major projects include expansion and modernization of an existing airstrip, upgradation of the railway station, introduction of an intelligent traffic management system, renovation of old temples in the ancient city and revival of more than 108 ponds. Further, work has also been initiated for development of a Ramayana circuit with the intention of making the city an 'epicentre of devotion' for visitors from all over the world.

 

Murals depicting Ramayana events on a wall in the airport 

On December 30, 2023, the Prime Minister inaugurated the first phase of the modern airport called Maharishi Valmiki International airport and the revamped railway station named the Ayodhya Dham junction.  Carved pillars, ornamental gateways and attractive murals depicting  anecdotes from the Ramayana mark the architecture of the airport and the railway station.  Their facade reflects the hoary heritage of Ayodhya.

 

The expanded and modernized railway station

 

No wonder, with all these incredible developments Ayodhya will surely be shining brilliantly for a long time not only as a spiritual centre but also as a major tourist attraction.

January 22, 2024

 

***

THE STATUE OF EQUALITY

 

The grand statue of Vaishnava Saint Ramanujacharya in Telangana, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled on February 05, 2022, has several unique features.  It has been named the Statue of Equality, befitting what the saint had preached and practised -- every human being is equal regardless of nationality, gender, race, caste and creed.  Erected in a scenic setting, the statue commemorates the 1,000^th birth anniversary of the saint.

 

A TRIBUTE PAR EXCELLENCE

(By Subbaram Danda)

 

The grand statue of Ramanujacharya

 

The 216-foot statue in the sitting posture is the second tallest in the world.  It has been installed on a base-like edifice of 54 feet height called ‘Bhadra Vedi’ held aloft by a ring of beautifully sculpted elephants. The globe’s tallest statue is of Buddha in Thailand, whose total height is 302 feet.

The Ramanujacharya statue is a ‘panchaloha’ one, made of five metals – gold, silver, copper, brass and zinc.  According to ancient ‘Shilpa sastra’ the alloy of these metals has a sacred significance.

The building underneath is aesthetically and elegantly designed.  In a spacious and ornate sanctum at the centre a golden idol of the saint weighing 120 kg has been installed. Here the figure 120 is significant, because the saint is believed to have lived for 120 years.  It is for this idol that there will be regular worship.

Another outstanding feature is recreation of 108 Vaishnavite shrines known as ‘Divya Desams’ around the main building in the complex. Replicas of all these sacred centres of Vishnu worship including Tirumala, Srirangam and Badrinath can be seen there.

Artistic pillars, spacious hallways, decorative ceilings, wide steps and traditional towers mark the architecture of the complex.  Its grandeur is enhanced by water fountains, beautiful gardens and neat lawns. 

Also housed are a digital vedic library, a research centre with ancient Indian texts, a theatre and a gallery to portray the life and works of the saint. The 1,000th year commemoration project has an outlay of Rs.1,000 crores, financed by donations from devotees all over the world.

The moving force behind all this magnificent activity is Tridandi Chinna Jeeyar.  The entire project, regarded as a glorious tribute to the saint on his 1,000^th birth anniversary, was conceived and executed by him.  It is in his ashram area at Muchintal on the outskirts of Hyderabad that the complex has come up spread over 40-acres. The whole premises has been aptly named Sriramanagaram.

Prime Minister Modi, clad in yellow silk robes and sporting a 'namam' on his forehead, dedicated the “Statue of Equality” and the complex to the people of the world.  Though Ramanujacharya was born in South India, Modi observed, his teachings had influenced the people all over India and abroad too.

President of India Ramnath Kovind unveiled the golden idol of the saint on February 13.  Ramanujacharya's teachings, he noted, are relevent even today.  All aspects of his philosophy of equality have found a place in the Constitution of India.  

On February 14, Chinna Jeeyar conducted sacred rites for the consecration (prana pratishta) of the golden idol of Ramanujacharya and brought to fruition the related two-week long rituals, which included kalasa pujas, homams and vedic recitals.

Finally on February 19 a glittering 'Kalyana Mahotsavam' for the murtis of the 108 Divya Desams was held.  A large number of devotees witnessed the sacred event.

The picture gallery below unfolds the splendour of the complex and the ceremonies.

 

Colourful interiors of the complex

 

Another view of the interiors

Chinna Jeeyar taking PM Modi round the complex. Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan accompanies

 

Prime Minister Modi unveils a plaque to mark the inauguration

 

A ring of elephant figures holds aloft the saint's statue 

 

Ornately built pillars and walls

 

The golden idol of Ramanujacharya

 

 

 

Chinna Jeeyar performing consecration rituals

 

 

 Swarna Ramanujacharya after consecration

 

 

 

Devotees thronging the sanctum of Swarna Ramanujacharya

 

 

Replica of a Divya Desam 

 

 

 

A bird's eye-view of the spectacular complex

 

 

Sacred rituals being performed during the two-week long ceremonies

 

 

 

 'Kalyana Mahotsavam' for the 108 Divya Desa murtis 

 

 

 

The saint's panchaloha statue glowing in illumination at night

 

Posted on February 07, 2022

Updated on February 19, 2022

 

A TREAT IN THE RETREAT

 

 

This year’s Beating the Retreat ceremony was unique.  For the first time, a laser display and a drone show were added.  Both the programmes highlighted the country’s heritage, history and freedom struggle and showcased the advances made in various fields since independence 75 years ago.  The spectators were thrilled.

 

THE RETREAT WITH A DIFFERENCE

(A review by Subbaram Danda)

 

The Vijay Chowk

 

Beating the Retreat is a centuries-old military tradition enacted at sunset to mark the disengagement of troops from a battle.  In independent India, it is held every year on January 29, to signify the conclusion of the Republic Day festivities.  Various military bands, consisting of buglers, pipers, trumpeters and drummers, march in formations playing selected tunes at the sprawling Vijay Chowk in Delhi.   

This year's retreat took place in the presence of Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces and President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Raj Nath Singh and the military brass.

After the performance of the bands, colourful laser beams were projected on the walls of the North and South Blocks to bring out the cultural richness of the country and the sacrifices made by its patriotic men and women.

Then followed the grand drone show conceptualized and choreographed under the Centre’s “Made in India” initiative.  In the ten-minute programme, a thousand drones lighted up the sky over Vijay Chowk with colourful displays.  Its highlights included portrayal of the Father of the Nation in a sketch form and the blazing tricolour.

By successfully staging the drone show, India became the fourth country in the world after the US, Russia and China in mastering the complicated technology.

Here are some photos: 

The retreat in progress

 

Military bands playing select tunes

 

 

Laser show on the culture of India

 

 

Thousand drones forming an earth-shaped globe

 

 

Map of India created by drones

 

 

Mahatma Gandhi as outlined by drones

 

 

The national flag

 

 

Laser based illuminations

 

January 30, 2022.