Idols of Lord Rama and Sita will be fashioned from rare rocks unearthed in Nepal's Gandaki river and installed in the sanctum sanctorum of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Times Of India (TOI) reported.
On Wednesday, two big shilas from Nepal's Muktinath (place of redemption) district were delivered to Ayodhya for the purpose. These shilas, also known as Saligram, are said to be manifestations of Lord Vishnu.
The statues are anticipated to be completed in time for the Makar Sankranti celebration in January of next year.
According to Hindu mythology, Sita was the daughter of Nepal's King Janak and married Lord Rama of Ayodhya. Along with celebrating Rama's birth on Ram Navami, followers in Janakpur, Nepal, commemorate Rama and Sita's wedding on the fifth day of Shukl Paksha, which normally occurs between November and December.
Speaking with TOI, Prakash Gupta, the incharge of Ram Mandir Trust at Ram Janambhoomi, said, "The national secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad Rajendra Singh Pankaj has moved from Mustang district of Nepal on Wednesday with the consignment of two sacred rocks. He is expected to arrive in Ayodhya on Friday."
"These two rocks are 5-6 feet tall and about 4-feet wide. The statue of 'Ram Lalla' will be carved out from these rocks and will be installed in the original sanctum sancitorium," Gupta was quoted by TOI in its report.
"Along with Ram Lalla, the statue of Sitaji will also be carved out from these sacred rocks," he added.
The Trust has already determined that the new Ram Lalla idol would be erected in the sanctum sanctorum of Ram Mandir on Makar Sankranti (January 14) in 2024. The shilas' 'Shila Pujan' was conducted before leaving. They weigh about 18 and 12 tonnes, respectively.
According to the Hindu calendar, ceremonies may only take place from Makar Sankranti (in 2024), when the Sun travels from the southern to the northern hemisphere, according to the Trust.
According to Champat Rai, general secretary of the Trust, Makar Sankranti is the most auspicious day for installing the Ram Lalla statue.