The decision to feature a five-year-old statue of Ram Lalla as the main idol for worship at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha, scheduled on January 22, has sparked curiosity. This choice holds significance as Ayodhya is Lord Ram’s birthplace, and the selection of his child form is deeply rooted in religious and symbolic considerations.
Members of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust engaged in extensive discussions about the ideal age for the Ram Lalla idol.
While some advocated for a one-and-a-half-year-old crawling child, others supported the idea of a full statue depicting Lord Ram holding a bow and arrow. The latter group believed that such an image would resonate with the youth, instilling feelings of bravery and inspiring them to protect religion and society.
In Hinduism, the choice of a five-year-old form holds particular significance. Children aged five or younger are viewed as innocent, and their mistakes are forgiven, as articulated by scholars like Chanakya. Hindu scriptures celebrate Lord Ram’s childhood until the age of five, making the selection of a five-year-old idol a fitting representation of his innocent form.
The 51-inch statue of the five-year-old Ram Lalla, to be installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple feature a childlike face and hold a bow and arrow.
The decision to include these elements aims to evoke feelings of motherly love and elicit blessings and boons from devotees.
Crafted by Karnataka sculptor Arun Yogiraj, the black stone statue of Ram Lalla is made from Shaligram stone, a sacred material associated with Hindu deities.
The choice of black stone adds a layer of religious significance, as Shaligrams are considered the idol form of Lord Vishnu and are often collected from the holy river.
The decision to make the statue 51 inches tall is influenced by the auspiciousness associated with the number, and it reflects the taller stature of people during Lord Ram’s era.
The significance of Kakabhushundi, a devotee of Lord Rama depicted as a crow, is also explored, adding an interesting cultural and mythological context to the selection.
“Now and then I go to Ayodhyapuri. I feel happy seeing the children play there. I go there and watch the birth festival and stay there for 05 years out of greed for it (in Lord’s Shishu Leela).” “Shri Ramchandraji in the form of a child is my favorite deity, whose
body has the beauty of billions of Kamdevs. Oh, Garuda! By seeing the face of my Lord, I make my eyes successful”
The choice of a five-year-old Ram Lalla statue for Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir is a culmination of careful considerations rooted in religious beliefs, symbolism, and a desire to resonate with the youth while maintaining the innocence and divine aspects of Lord Ram’s childhood.
