Meet Chandrakant Sompura, the visionary architect behind the Ayodhya Ram Mandir’s stunning design. Delve into the rich history of his family, renowned for constructing over 200 temples across India.
The monumental inauguration of Ayodhya Ram Mandir on August 5, 2020, marked a momentous occasion as Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi performed the bhumi-pujan, concluding a wait that lasted nearly 500 years. Rising majestically in Ayodhya, the temple is now gearing up for its eagerly awaited pran-pratishtha ceremony on January 22, 2024.
Crucial details about Ayodhya Ram Mandir include its expansive 70-acre expanse, with the temple occupying 2.77 acres.
Its architectural style reflects the iconic Indian Nagara tradition, dating back to the 5th century. Chandrakant Sompura, the chief architect, hails from a family with a distinguished legacy in temple construction, contributing to a portfolio boasting more than 200 temples globally.
The Sompura family’s notable achievements encompass the revival of the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, the Akshardham temple complex in Gujarat, the Swaminarayan Mandir in Mumbai, and the iconic Birla Mandir in Kolkata. Chandrakant Sompura, the 15th generation in his family, played a pivotal role in formulating the master plan for Ayodhya Ram Mandir almost three decades ago.
Approached by the late Ashok Singhal, former chief of VHP, Chandrakant Sompura, accompanied by his sons Nikhil and Ashish, undertook the task of constructing Ayodhya Ram Mandir.
In an interview, Sompura disclosed Singhal’s admiration for the architecture of Kolkata’s Birla Mandir, a creation of his own. Despite stringent security measures, Sompura meticulously measured the land with his footsteps during a visit to Ayodhya, adopting the guise of a devotee.
Addressing concerns about the temple’s durability, Sompura reassured in a recent interview that Ayodhya Ram Mandir is designed to withstand earthquakes and floods for the next 2500 years.
His design, conceived nearly three decades ago, withstood the trials of time and legal battles, emerging as the chosen blueprint for this historic temple.