Sculptor Revealed: Who is behind the idol of Lord Ram in Ayodhya?

Starting today, the consecration rituals for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya have commenced and will extend until January 22nd. The newly crafted statue of Ramlala, created by Arun Yogiraj from Mysore, will be installed during this period. This dark-colored statue depicts a five-year-old child in a standing posture. The darshan of the statue will be open to the public from January 23rd onwards.

The chosen sculpture for installation at the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22nd, as confirmed by the temple trust’s general secretary Champat Rai, is crafted by Mysuru-based artist Arun Yogiraj. According to Rai, the stone sculpture will portray a five-year-old Ram Lalla and weigh between 150 kg to 200 kg.

The formal announcement of Yogiraj’s sculpture selection follows Union Minister Pralhad Joshi‘s earlier declaration on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). Joshi had previously announced, “The idol of Lord Rama, carved by renowned sculptor Yogiraj Arun, will be installed in Ayodhya.”

The new idol, sculpted on Krishna Shila, is set to be moved into the new temple on January 17th. Additionally, Rai mentioned that the existing idol of Ram Lalla will find its place in the sanctum sanctorum of the new temple alongside the newly selected sculpture.

The new idol of Lord Ram for the Ram temple in Ayodhya will represent the ‘baal roop’ (childhood form) of the deity. However, specific details regarding the appearance, expressions, and facial features of the idol are yet to be finalized. The idol is anticipated to be positioned at a height of nine feet, allowing devotees to have darshan from a distance of 35 feet. The installation will be arranged in such a way that the rays of the rising sun will gently touch the forehead of the idol.

The idol of Ram Lalla, designated for installation in the under-construction temple in Ayodhya, will take the form of an archer and will be sculpted from “Krishna shila,” a type of black stone sourced from Karnataka, as decided by the overseeing trust.

Also known as, shaligram, or shaligrama shila, is a fossilized stone or ammonite sourced from Nepal’s Kali Gandaki riverbed. Revered in Hinduism as a form of Vishnu, legends surround its origin. Following a curse from Tulasi, Vishnu assumed the form of a stone. Tulsi, the wife of Shankhachuda, became suspicious during his battle with Shiva. Vishnu, in disguise, cohabited with Tulsi, breaking her chastity. In anger, she cursed Vishnu, who consoled her, promising a reunion in a new form. Tulsi’s discarded body became the Gandaki river, while Vishnu transformed into shaligrama stones, known for various markings carved by ‘vajrakita’ worms.

Approximately one lakh invitations have been distributed, indicating the anticipation of a substantial turnout in Ayodhya on the 22nd.