New Delhi: As Ayodhya is gearing up for the grand opening of the Shri Ram Mandir in January 2024, the temple’s chief architect Chandrakant Sompura on Thursday recalled the process leading to the construction of the temple.
He said that the construction plan for the ‘Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir’ began 32 years ago.
Speaking to ANI, Sompura said, "32 years ago, Ashok Singhal took me with him and told me to prepare a plan for the Ram Mandir to be constructed. At that time, there was a structure and we were not even allowed to take measurements. We measured the area with our feet and estimated the area of the place."
We decided on a plan which was later displayed in the Kumbh Mela... Then the work slowed down for some years... After the court's order, we were asked to hurry up and were asked to build it a lot bigger now... More than 50% of the work is complete... We lost hope at some time whether the temple would be built or not... VHP said that the 6x3 feet area of the birth was acceptable otherwise there would be no temple..."
The consecration ceremony of the Ram temple is expected to take place on January 22 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking on the architecture used in Ayodhya's Ram Temple, Sompura said, "The 'Pran Pratishtha' on January 22, 2024, is a matter of pride for the whole nation. The 'sthapna' of the idols would be the result of the 35 years of struggle... The 'Nagar Shaili' architecture of North and Central India is used in the construction."
"The temple has 5 'mandaps'. The main sanctorum is 20 by 20 feet in an octagonal shape, signifying 8 forms of Lord Vishnu. Along with the 'Nagar Shaili', 8 forms of Lord Vishnu are also used in the architecture," he added.