The statue of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya’s Ram temple – which will eventually be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22 – is 51 inches tall, weighs 1.5 tonnes and has the innocence of a child. Ram Mandir Trust general secretary Champat Rai said that every year on Ram Navami, the sun’s rays will illuminate the forehead of the idol at 12 noon.

The worship of the idol began on 16 January and it was installed in the sanctum sanctorum on 18 January. “Water, milk and achaman will not have any adverse effect on the idol,” he said.

“The length of the idol of Lord Shri Ram and the height of its installation have been designed in such a way on the advice of eminent space scientists of India that every year on Ram Navami, the ninth date of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month, Lord Surya himself will anoint Shri Ram Because at 12 noon the sun rays will fall directly on his forehead which will make it shine,” Rai further said.

Champat Rai said that three sculptors made the idol of Lord Shri Ram separately, out of which one idol was selected with a weight of 1.5 tonnes as well as a length of 51 inches from foot to forehead.

Describing the gentleness of the idol, he said that this idol made of dark colored stone has not only the divinity of Lord Vishnu and the glow of a royal son, but also the innocence of a five-year-old child. The idol has been selected keeping in mind the softness of the face, glance in the eyes, smile, body etc. The head, crown and aura of the 51-inch tall idol have also been finely crafted, he said.

This idol of Lord Ram, aged only 5 years, will be placed on the ground floor of the temple and will be unveiled on January 22. The idols of Lord Ram’s brothers, Sita and Hanuman will be placed on the first floor. This temple is ready after eight months.

He further said that a special feature of the idol of Lord Ram is that water and milk will not have any adverse effect on the stone. He said that also if someone consumes that water or milk then there will be no side effect on his body.

He said that temples of Maharishi Valmiki, Maharishi Vashishtha, Maharishi Vishwamitra, Maharishi Agastya, Nishad Raj, Mata Shabari and Devi Ahilya will also be built in the Ram temple complex. Apart from this, the idol of Jatayu has already been installed here.

Champat Rai said that the architecture of the temple is inspired by the temples of South India, according to construction engineers no such temple has been built in North India in the last 300 years.

He further commented that although the age of the stone is 1,000 years, sunlight, wind and water will not be able to affect it because the granite underneath has been set to prevent moisture absorption. Iron has also not been used in the idol because it makes the idol weak. “It is designed in such a way that as it ages, a very strong rock will form beneath the ground. No type of concrete has been used above ground, because the age of concrete does not exceed 150 years. Age has been kept in mind while doing every work.

Devotees requested to visit after 26th January

Champat Rai said that 22 January 2024 is as important for him personally as 15 August 1947. He appealed to everyone to celebrate January 22 with grand puja in five lakh temples across the country. “Every Sanatani should light at least five lamps outside his house in the evening.”

He said that people should come to the temple for darshan only after January 26. He assured that the doors of the temple will remain open until everyone has darshan. VisitEven at midnight.