Karnataka sculptor's Ram statue to be installed in Ayodhya temple
What's the story
The Ram Lalla idol that will adorn the grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, has been finalized, Union minister Pralhad Joshi revealed.
The ornate 51-inch sculpture carved by renowned sculptor Arun Yogiraj from Karnataka has been chosen for the temple, he posted on X.
While an official announcement is awaited, preparations for the Ram Mandir's consecration ceremony on January 22 are underway.
Context
Why does this story matter?
With the inauguration of Ram Mandir, to be headlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, around the corner, there have been speculations about the final Lord Ram idol as three designs were reportedly being considered.
Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister Yediyurappa also claimed it was Yogiraj's sculpture that was selected to be installed at the temple's sanctum sanctorum.
Details
Karnataka is land of Lord Hanuman, says Joshi
On X, Joshi further emphasized that the selected idol was from Karnataka, demonstrating the bond between Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman.
As per Hindu mythological texts, Lord Hanuman was born in modern-day Karnataka.
"This is another example of Rama-Hanuman's inextricable relationship. There is no mistaking that this is an important service to Ram Lalla from Karnataka, the land of Hanuman," he wrote in Kannada.
Twitter Post
Union minister Joshi on Ayodhya's Lord Ram statue
"ಎಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಮನೋ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಹನುಮನು"
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) January 1, 2024
ಅಯೋಧ್ಯೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರೀರಾಮನ ಪ್ರಾಣ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಾಪನಾ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ವಿಗ್ರಹ ಆಯ್ಕೆ ಅಂತಿಮಗೊಂಡಿದೆ. ನಮ್ಮ ನಾಡಿನ ಹೆಸರಾಂತ ಶಿಲ್ಪಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯ ಶ್ರೀ @yogiraj_arun ಅವರು ಕೆತ್ತಿರುವ ಶ್ರೀರಾಮನ ವಿಗ್ರಹ ಪುಣ್ಯಭೂಮಿ ಅಯೋಧ್ಯೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಾಪನೆಗೊಳ್ಳಲಿದೆ. ರಾಮ ಹನುಮರ ಅವಿನಾಭಾವ ಸಂಬಂಧಕ್ಕೆ ಇದು… pic.twitter.com/VQdxAbQw3Q
Competition
Yogiraj's statue picked from 3 sculptures
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra (SRJBTK) members on Friday met and voted to select the final Ram Lalla idol from the three sculptures under consideration.
The trust is yet to make an official announcement.
Meanwhile, Yogiraj's wife expressed excitement, saying, "He works 10 hours daily. For projects with national importance, he has worked round the clock. There is no room for error."
Ram Mandir
Ram Temple trust yet to confirm the statue
On the other hand, members of the Ram Temple trust have refused to confirm that the Karnataka-based sculptor's entry has been chosen.
A member told NDTV that "everything is speculation" till SRJBTK Secretary Champat Rai makes an official announcement.
Rai previously said that a 51-inch-tall idol depicting a five-year-old Ram Lalla and with the "most divine look" would be chosen from three designs.
Ram Mandir
Everything we know about Ram Mandir inauguration
Ahead of pran pratishta (consecration), another SRJBTK member, Kameshwar Chaupal, said rituals before three idols would commence at the Ram Temple on January 14.
Organized by the trust, Ayodhya will witness the inauguration of Ram Mandir on January 22.
It is expected to draw around 8,000 attendees, including politicians and eminent personalities like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Amitabh Bachchan, Mukesh Ambani, and Gautam Adani.
Yogiraj
Yogiraj's other works placed in Kedarnath, India Gate
Hailing from a family of sculptors for five generations in Mysuru, Yogiraj is among the most sought-after sculptors in India.
He initially worked in the corporate sector, but his passion pulled him back into sculpturing in 2008.
Notably, his Adi Shankaracharya idol was previously installed in Kedarnath, while his statue of Subhas Chandra Bose was placed near the iconic India Gate in New Delhi.