On a momentous day, Ayodhya witnessed the eagerly awaited Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla, attended by around 7,000 VVIPs from diverse fields. Notable figures graced the occasion, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat.
The highlight was the unveiling of a 51-inch-tall idol of Lord Ram, meticulously carved by sculptor Arun Yogiraj.
The Ram Mandir, constructed in the traditional Nagara architectural style, stands at impressive dimensions of 250 feet wide and 161 feet high, with a length of 380 feet east-west.
The structure comprises levels standing 20 feet high, supported by a remarkable assembly of 392 pillars and 44 gates.
As the public eagerly anticipates visiting the temple, some devotees are puzzled by the absence of idols representing other revered figures from the Ramayana, such as Sita, Lakshman, or Hanuman, during the Pran Pratishtha event.
Particularly, the absence of Mata Sita, Lord Ram’s wife, has left followers wondering about the significance of her omission.
In the Ramayana, Sita’s presence is intricately intertwined with Lord Rama’s magnificence, forming the central theme of the narrative. Observing the ceremony, viewers familiar with the importance of Sita’s role question why her idol is not present in the sanctum sanctorum alongside Lord Rama.
The ‘Jai Siya Ram’ greeting, symbolizing the unbreakable link between Rama and Sita, underscores the divine importance of Sita in the hearts of her devotees.
Contrary to public perception, there is indeed a statue of Mata Sita in the temple, but its location remains relatively unknown. During a press conference, Sharda Nandan Giri of Juna Akhara in Maharashtra hinted at a development, stating that the temple’s plan includes featuring an idol of Lord Ram alongside Sita.
“The installation of the idol of Ram Lalla is underway in the sanctum sanctorum of the newly constructed Ram Janmabhoomi temple. Notably, the temple is planned to feature an idol of Lord Ram alongside Sita.”
According to emerging sources, the design envisions placing the statue of Ram on the bottom level and the idols of Ram’s brothers, Hanuman and Sita, on the first floor of the grand structure. This additional installation is expected to take approximately eight months to complete.
Champat Rai, the General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trust, explained that the upcoming Ram idol in the temple portrays Lord Rama as a 5-year-old child, emphasizing his birthplace in Ayodhya.
“Ram was born in Ayodhya, therefore the name Ram Janmabhoomi… The 51-inch tall Ram idol is made from black stone and depicts the deity as a five-year-old child in a standing posture.”
Due to this specific depiction, there won’t be provision for placing the idol of Sita in the sanctum sanctorum, aligning with the mythological narrative that Sita married Ram when he was 27 years old.
भए प्रगट कृपाला! pic.twitter.com/ARbwzYZ2SF
— Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra (@ShriRamTeerth) January 22, 2024