The idol of 'Ram Lalla' carved by Karnataka’s renowned sculptor Arun Yogiraj will be installed in the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Monday. He said the idol has been finalised for Prana Pratishtapana (consecration) of Lord Rama and it has been carved by sculptor Yogiraj Arun.
"The selection of the idol for the Prana Pratishtapana of Lord Rama in Ayodhya has been finalized. The idol of Lord Rama, carved by renowned sculptor of our country Yogiraj Arun, will be installed in Ayodhya," posted Joshi on X, formerly Twitter in Kannada.
According to Yogiraj, he was among the three sculptors selected by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra to carve an idol of ‘Ram Lalla’, reported PTI.
"I am happy that I was among the three sculptors from the country who were selected to carve the idol of ‘Ram Lalla’," Yogiraj was quoted by the news agency.
However, no photograph or video clip of the idol will be released till January 17, reported Times of India. VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said: "The decision has been taken and the idol has been selected. No further details will be disclosed till January 17." Trust office-bearers said that the idol would be 'blindfolded' during the 'nagar yatra'.
The renowned sculptor, who had sculpted the idol of Adi Shankaracharya, which has been placed in Kedarnath and the statue of Subhash Chandra Bose which has been installed near India Gate in Delhi, said the challenge was not easy for him.
"The idol should be of a child, who is divine too, because it is the statue of the incarnation of God. People who look at the statue should feel the divinity," Yogiraj said.
"Keeping the divinity aspect along with the child-like face in mind, I started my work about six to seven months ago. Now I am extremely happy. More than selection, people should appreciate it. Only then, I will be happy," the sculptor told PTI.
Yogiraj's mother Saraswathi told ANI, "It is the happiest moment for us, I wanted to see him crafting the sculpture, but he said he would take me on the last day, I will go on the day of the installation."
"I am happy to see my son's growth and his success. His father is not present to see his success, it has been 6 months since my son went to Ayodhya..." she added.
Sharing his happiness on X, BJP stalwart and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said, "The idol of Lord Rama sculpted by the sculptor Arun Yogiraj of Mysuru has been selected for installation in the magnificent Sri Rama Mandir of Ayodhya, which has doubled the pride and happiness of the entire Rama devotees of the state. Heartfelt congratulations to ‘Shilpi @yogiraj_arun’."
The Ram temple is set for opening on January 22 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The consecration ceremony will be held over a span of seven days, starting January 16.
On the final day, January 22, after the morning puja, the deity of Ram Lala will be consecrated in 'Mrigashira Nakshatra' in the afternoon.
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