The first phase of building the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is scheduled to finish by December 30th of this year, according to Nripendra Mishra, the head of the construction committee of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, news agency ANI reported.
The temple, being erected in three stages, will open its doors to worshippers once the initial phase is finished, according to Mishra, who formerly served as the Principal Secretary to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In an interview with ANI, the construction committee chief stated that the initial stage of the project will encompass the completion of five mandaps located on the ground level, as well as additional works.
"The Trust has taken the decision that the first phase of the Ram Temple should be completed by December 30, 2023. In the first phase, the five 'mandaps' on the ground floor, out of which the most prominent is the sanctum sanctorum where God's idol will be installed, should be completed," he was quoted by ANI in its report.
According to Mishra, approximately 160 pillars were used in the construction of the five mandaps.
"The work of iconography (visual images and symbols) in them should be completed. A brief description of Lord Ram on the lower plinth of the Temple will be started (in the first phase), and the electricity facility and other facilities should be completed. All these works will be completed by December 30, 2023," he said.
"The first and second storeys of the Temple including the percota (outer perimeter) will be completed by December 30, 2024," Mishra added.
He further informed that the "idol will be installed, the devotees will be able to visit by the end of this year".
"Efforts are being made to accomplish these works by December 30, 2023," Mishra added.