Rama temple in Ayodhya can last 1,000 years and withstand earthquakes that occur once in 2,500 years

The Rama temple in Ayodhya, which has become one of the major centers of Hindu devotees after hosting the grand ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of Lord Rama earlier this month, has been built to not only last 1,000 years but also to withstand The largest earthquake that ever occurred. 2500 years later.

CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CSIR-CBRI) – Roorkee conducted a series of scientific studies on the Ayodhya site, including geophysical characterization, geotechnical analysis, foundation design review and 3D structural analysis and design.

The temple, which was opened to the public on January 23, attracted a large number of devotees, with more than 1.6 million people seeking the blessings of Lord Ram.

Ayodhya talks about “Crowd No. 9”: Braving the cold, devotees flock to the Ram Temple; 1.9 million tourists were received in 6 days

Debdutta Ghosh, senior scientist at CSIR-CBRI, said: “This scientific study was conducted to ensure the structural safety of the temple in the event of a maximum earthquake, equivalent to one that occurs once in 2,500 years.”

Ghosh and Manojit Samanta (coordinator, CSIR-CBRI Center of Excellence for Conservation of Heritage Structures) led the team to review the foundation design and monitoring, conduct 3D structural analysis and design the Ram Mandir.

Ghosh said the geophysical characterization process involves multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW) to estimate the dominant wave velocity, and electrical resistance tomography to identify anomalies, water-saturated zones and groundwater levels. The findings are critical for site-specific response in subsurface investigations and estimation of seismic design parameters, he said.

CSIR-CBRI also reviewed soil investigation plans, foundation design parameters, excavation plans, and foundation and structural monitoring recommendations. Ghosh said that after simulating more than 50 computer models and analyzing the models under different loading conditions, a structural design was recommended for its optimal performance, architectural appeal and safety.

He said that the entire superstructure is constructed of Bansi Paharpur sandstone with dry joints without reinforcement and has a designed service life of 1,000 years.

The superstructure material Bansi Paharpur sandstone has been tested at the center to evaluate the engineering properties for use as input for structural analysis.

Ghosh said the specialty bricks used in these structures have a compressive strength of more than 20 MPa (megapascals), or about 2,900 pounds per square inch (psi), after curing under standard conditions for 28 days.

Ayodhya and earthquake

The central government informed Parliament in 2021 that a total of 59% of India’s landmass (covering all Indian states) is prone to earthquakes of varying intensities. According to the country’s seismic zoning map, the total area is divided into four seismic zones. Zone V is the most seismically active area, while Zone II is the least active. Approximately 11% of the country is located in Region V, 18% in Region IV, 30% in Region III and the remainder in Region II.

Ayodhya is about 150 kilometers away from Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh and falls under Zone III. The area is about 700 kilometers from Delhi and is located in the “high-risk” Zone 4. The National Capital Region of Delhi is an earthquake-prone area due to frequent seismic activity. Its location is unique and it shakes every three to four months as well as when earthquakes occur in the Himalayan region.

Facts about Ayodhya Ram Mandir

• The Ram Mandir complex covers an area of ​​70 acres, of which the main temple area covers 2.7 acres and has a built-up area of ​​approximately 57,400 square feet.
• The design of the temple is rooted in the traditional Nagara style. Its length (east-west) is 380 feet; its width is 250 feet, and its height is 161 feet; supported by a total of 392 columns and 44 doors.
• The construction of the temple structure avoids the use of steel. Instead, the temple is built using indigenous Indian techniques and traditional building materials, in line with ancient Indian building practices and demonstrating a commitment to sustainability.
• To protect the ground from moisture, a 21-foot-tall plinth was built using granite.
• The entire building is valued at Rs 1,800 crore. The project is funded by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which has raised over Rs 3,500 crore in donations from across India and abroad.

(with PTI input)