Ayodhya’s Epic Journey: Unraveling the Tale from Ram’s Birth to Temple’s Grandeur, Every Detail You Need

Ayodhya’s Epic Journey: Ram temple is ready for consecration on the land of Ayodhya. This is a day that has been awaited for centuries. After several decades of legal battle, Ram temple has been built and now the time for consecration has come. Thousands of people, sages, saints and religious leaders from across the country are reaching Ayodhya. 

Today we invite you to go on the journey of Ramlala of Ayodhya, in which we will tell you the whole story from the history of the Mughal period to the construction of Ram temple. Apart from this, every feature of Ram temple, how grand it is, how it was prepared, what is special… all the information will be given in this journey.

History of Ram Temple

With the inauguration of Ram Temple, the wait of 500 years of Ram devotees will end. According to Ramayana, Lord Shri Ram was born in Ayodhya only. It is said that Lord Shri Ram’s son Kush had built his temple in Ayodhya. There were 3000 temples of Sitaram in Ayodhya alone. Historians say, in the 5th century the condition of many of these temples started deteriorating. During the same time, King Vikramaditya of Ujjain came to Ayodhya and got the temples repaired. Then the temple remained fine for many years.

On 21 April 1526, there was a war between Babar and Ibrahim Lodhi. By 1528, Babar’s army reaches Ayodhya. It is claimed that the mosque was constructed after the temple was demolished on the orders of Mughal emperor Babar. Later it came to be known as Babri Masjid.

At that time Babar was ruling and its roots were very strong. That’s why 250 years have passed and there has been no movement here. European geographer Joseph Tiefenthaler was at this place between 1766 and 1771. In his book Descriptio India, he has talked about the existence of Ram Chabutra here.

In 1813, the first Hindu organizations claimed that Babar had demolished the Ram temple and built the mosque. From here this issue started arising again. At that time the country was ruled by the British. Communal violence occurred here for the first time in 1853. Seeing the increasing dispute, in 1859 the British installed a fence around the disputed site.

The case reached the court for the first time in 1885. Mahant Raghubir Das filed a petition in the Faizabad district court to build a temple on Ram Chabutra, which was rejected by the court. In 1949, an idol of God was found inside the mosque. While the Hindu side claimed the appearance of Lord Ram, the Muslim side said that the Hindus secretly placed the idols inside. Both sides filed cases against each other. On the other hand, the administration considered it a disputed structure and got it locked. 
 
In 1950, Gopal Singh Visharad filed a petition seeking permission to worship at Ram Chabutra. In 1959, Nirmohi Akhara filed the third application for possession. In 1961, the UP Sunni Waqf Board filed a petition and laid claim to the mosque land. In 1986, the district court allowed opening of the disputed structure and permission for darshan. In 1989, Vishwa Hindu Parishad laid the foundation stone of Ram temple on the disputed land and laid the first stone.

Disputed structure of Babri Masjid demolished

Vishva Hindu Parishad had already started the movement to build Ram temple in place of the mosque on the disputed land. In the 90s, the issue of Ram Temple was of paramount importance for the politicians. In 1990, Lal Krishna Advani took out a Rath Yatra for the construction of the temple. This anger had increased so much that in 1992, all the Hindu organizations including VHP together demolished the disputed structure.

After this, communal riots broke out across the country. More than 2000 people died in the riots. A case was registered and 49 people were made accused. Many BJP and VHP leaders including Lal Krishna Advani, Uma Bharti, Murli Manohar Joshi, Kalyan Singh, Champat Rai, Kamlesh Tripathi were made accused. After 28 years, the court acquitted all the accused due to lack of evidence. 17 accused had died at the time of the verdict.

When the decision came in favor of Ram Temple

In 2002, 10 years after the demolition of the disputed structure, Allahabad High Court started hearing for the ownership rights of the land. In 2010, the High Court ordered to divide the disputed land into three equal parts between Sunni Waqf Board, Ram Lalla Virajman and Nirmohi Akhara. In 2011, the High Court order was challenged in the Supreme Court.

In 2019, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Ram temple. Orders were given to give five acres of land separately to Muslims. After this, on 5 August 2020, Prime Minister Modi performed Bhoomi Pujan for the construction of Ram temple and now the temple is being inaugurated on 22 January 2024.

How will the life be consecrated?

On January 18, the idol of Ramlala has been installed in the sanctum sanctorum. Ramlala’s life will be consecrated on January 22 at 12.20 pm. The blindfold of the idol will be removed and he will be shown a mirror. The idol of Lord Rama in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is of his child form. 

In the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, all the ritual procedures will be performed by 121 Acharyas from across the country. During this time, Prime Minister Modi, Mohan Bhagwat, UP Governor Anandiben Patel, CM Yogi Adityanath and other dignitaries will also be present.

9 Havan Kunds and 2 pavilions have been prepared for the worship of Pran Pratishtha. Eight havan kunds were made for eight directions. A Havan Kund has been built for the Acharya. Brick, sand, soil, cow dung, Panchgavya and cement have been used to make the Havan Kund. Special care has been taken of size, length, width, height and depth.

n front of the main temple, two pavilions of 45-45 cubits have been built for worship. All the worship activities including the worship of Lord Shri Ganesh and Shri Ram will be held in one pavilion. In the second pavilion, rituals related to the idol of Shri Ram ji will be performed.

How will Ramlala look?

The idol of 5 year old child Ramlala installed in the sanctum sanctorum will be amazing. It is made of black colored stone. The form of Bal Ramlala will be exactly the same as described in Ramcharitmanas and Valmiki Ramayana. Bow and arrows will not be part of the idol.

The idol will be very lifelike and pleasing to the mind. Such a statue that even after gazing at it, the eyes will remain thirsty instead of being satisfied. Eyes like lotus, face like moon, long hair, lovely smile on the lips.

The weight of the idol is about one and a half ton. Is 51 inches high. The special thing is that when the idol is bathed with water or milk, the stone should not have any effect on that water or milk. That means that water and milk will be drinkable and will not have any side effects on the human body. 

In which style was the Ram temple designed?

The design of the Ram temple has been prepared by the Sompura family of Gujarat and the entire plan of the temple is based on the traditional Nagar style. Most of the Nagara style temples are built on a stone platform. There are stairs to go up. The sanctum sanctorum is always located below the tallest tower. There are simple peaks with square bases. 

Some special temples built in Nagara style in India – Sun Temple of Konark, Sun Temple in Gujarat, Osian Temple, Kandariya Mahadev Temple of Khajuraho, Lingaraj Temple of Bhubaneswar, Jagannath Temple of Puri.

How big is the Ram temple

Every small and big thing has been taken care of while building the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya. The work of the first phase has been completed. The temple has been constructed in three storeys. The height of each floor is 20 feet. More than 4000 laborers were employed in the construction of the temple.

• Total land of temple complex 2.7 acres
• The area of ​​temple construction is 57,400 square feet.
• Length of the temple (east to west) 360 feet
• width 235 feet 
• The height of the peak of Garbha Graha from ground level is 161 feet.
• Temple floor 16.5 feet from ground level 
• 392 pillars and 44 gates in the temple complex
• Statues of gods and goddesses on pillars and walls 
• Total 160 pillars on ground floor
• 132 pillars on first floor
• 74 pillars on second floor
• Total 12 gates in the temple complex

What is special in Ram temple

• Shriram Darbar on first floor
• Child form of Lord Shri Ram in the main sanctum sanctorum
• 20*20 feet octagonal shaped sanctum sanctorum
• Entry into the temple from the east (climbing 32 steps to Singhdwar)
• rectangular wall around the temple
• Length of the rampart is 732 meters, width is 14 feet.
• Four temples on the four ramparts – Suryadev, Maa Bhagwati, Ganapati and Lord Shiva.
• Temple of Maa Annapurna in the northern arm
• Temple of Hanuman in the southern arm
• Jatayu statue on Navratna Kuber Tila in the south western part
• There are 5 pavilions in the temple – Dance Pavilion, Color Pavilion, Sabha Pavilion, Prayer Pavilion, Kirtan Pavilion.

Facilities in Ram Mandir Complex

• Ramp and lift for disabled and elderly
• Own power station in the temple premises
• Sewer treatment plant, water treatment plant, water system for fire fighting
• Lockers and medical facilities to keep the belongings of devotees
• Bathroom, toilet, wash basin facilities

What things were used in the construction of the temple?

• Iron was not used at all in the construction of the temple
• Use of copper to join stones
• 14 meter thick RCC below the temple
• no concrete above ground
• 21 feet high granite plinth to protect the temple from moisture
• There is no danger even from a high intensity earthquake
• Building expected to last for 1000 years

Things made of gold in Ram temple

There are a total of 12 doors in the Ram temple complex from where devotees will enter. Here you will see doors shining with gold. Everything is covered with a thick layer of gold. These doors are made of teak wood which does not deteriorate for many years. These are decorated with elephant, conch, disc and mace. 

On the day of Pran Pratistha, Ram Lalla will be given a necklace made of 108 gold coins. Ram Lalla’s Charan Padukas will be made of silver and gold. His weight will be around 1 kg. Ramlala’s throne will be about 8 feet tall. From the crown to the jewelery will also be of gold. Apart from this, many people across the country have announced to gift gold and silver items to the Ram temple.

How many more temples are being built in the complex
Apart from the main temple, 7 more temples are being built in the Janmabhoomi complex. These include the temples of Shri Ram’s Guru Brahmarshi Vashishtha, Brahmarshi Vishwamitra, Maharishi Valmiki, Agastya Muni, Ram devotee Kevat, Nishadraj and Mata Shabari, although their construction will be completed by the end of 2024.

From which direction to reach the sanctum sanctorum
To have darshan of Ramlala in the sanctum sanctorum, first of all you will have to go inside through the lion gate situated in the east direction. From here you will climb 32 stairs to reach Rang Mandap. In the Rang Mandap, pictures and characters related to the life of Lord Ram are carved on the walls. If you walk a little further, you will come to the dance pavilion. 

In the dance pavilion, gods and goddesses and scenes from Ramayana have been carved on stones. Moving ahead from here, you will reach the sanctum sanctorum of Ramlala.

Where did everything come from for Pran Pratishtha and Ram temple?

• Lucknow’s vegetable seller Anil Kumar Sahu has dedicated a world clock to Ramlala by making it which tells the time of 9 countries simultaneously.
• More than three thousand gifts, jewelery and clothes came to Ayodhya from Janakpur (Nepal), the birthplace of Mother Sita.
• A Sri Lankan delegation presented a rock from Ashoka Vatika mentioned in the epic Ramayana
• 108 feet long incense stick arrived in Vadodara, Gujarat, which weighs 3610 kg and is about 3.5 feet wide.
• Challa Srinivas Shastri, an unwavering devotee of Lord Ram from Hyderabad, reached Ayodhya on foot to present the gold plated Khadaun.
• Farmer Arvindbhai Mangalbhai Patel, resident of Vadodara, has presented a huge lamp weighing 1100 kg made of Panchdhatu.
• Aligarh’s locksmith Satya Prakash Sharma has prepared a lock and key weighing 400 kg, it is being said to be the world’s largest lock and key.
• Nagpur chef Vishnu Manohar prepared 7000 kg of traditional sweet ‘Ram Halwa’ for the devotees attending Pran Pratishtha. will build
• Shri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan in Mathura organized ‘Yagya’ 200 kg laddus sent to Ayodhya
• The official trust of Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati will send one lakh laddus to Ayodhya for Ram devotees.

What is the role of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha on 5 February 2020 The name of the trust for the Ram temple was announced as ‘Shri Ramjanmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra’. Kept. There are total 15 members in this trust. It is the responsibility of this trust to look after the construction and administrative work of the temple. Among the members of the Trust, names like Padmashree Advocate K Parasaran, Kameshwar Chaupal, Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati, Swami Vishvaprashatratirtha, Yugpurush Parmanand Giri, Mahant Dinendra Das are prominent.

Taking care of the facilities and security of the devotees, controlling the crowd, managing the budget, organizing pujas, rituals and religious events are all the work of the Trust. There will be no government interference in all these works. 

How much money has the Trust received in donations so far

Ram Mandir Trust has received donations worth crores of rupees from India and abroad. Initially the target of the trust was to collect donations of Rs 900 crore from 11 crore people. But, according to media reports, donations worth more than Rs 5000 crore have been received so far. 

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra had told in March 2023 that Rs 3000 crore had arrived in its three bank accounts. It is being told that many devotees have even donated gold coins and biscuits. According to the report, the estimated cost of building Ram temple is around Rs 1800 crore.

Timing of the temple and how much is the ticket cost

Every day the timing of darshan in Ram temple will be from 7 am to 11:30 am and from 2 pm to 7 pm. . Timings may change on some special occasions and festivals. The time of Shringaar Aarti is 6:30 am. Bhog Aarti will be held at 12 noon and Sandhya Aarti will be held at 7:30 pm.   

Darshan in Ayodhya Ram temple is absolutely free for all the devotees. But if you want to have a closer and better darshan of Lord Ram, then you will have to buy a special darshan ticket. Devotees can book tickets online from the official website of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust (SRJTKT) srjbtkshetra.org.

How to go to Ayodhya Ramnagari

All kinds of means are available to go to Ayodhya Ramnagari. Devotees can go anytime according to their devotion by bus, rail or air. All buses of Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (USRTC) run between Ayodhya and neighboring cities like Lucknow, Faizabad, Gorakhpur.

If you want to go by train, then there is a railway station named ‘Ayodhya Dham Junction’ in Ayodhya itself. Direct trains go to Ayodhya from Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Banaras, Gorakhpur. If you want to save time, there is also an international airport in Ayodhya. One direct flight each from Delhi and Mumbai to Ayodhya has been started. Apart from this, Gorakhpur (118 km) and Lucknow Airport (125 km) are the nearest ones. From here one can easily reach Ayodhya by taxi, bus or train.

When will the construction of the three-storey grand Ram temple be completed?

The three-storey grand Ram temple in Ayodhya will be ready by December 2024. The construction of the ground floor in the first phase has just been completed. The work on the first and second floors will be completed by the end of this year. 

Temple Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra said in a statement that the Ram temple is expected to last for at least 1000 years. According to the report, 1.5 lakh devotees are expected to come daily by the end of the year.

How much has Ayodhya changed since before?

There is development all around in Ayodhya. The UP government has kept a budget of Rs 30 thousand crore to make Ayodhya a world class city. The aim of the UP government is to transform Ayodhya into the cultural capital of India. Most of the proposed projects are being completed in 2024.

The list of development works in Ramnagari is very long. Of these, Ayodhya Dham railway station and international airport have been inaugurated. The biggest gift is going to be received in the form of Solar City by March this year. Apart from this, work has been done on some of these projects.

• 4 Lane Ayodhya Akbarpur Baskhari Marg
• Railway level crossing from NH-27 to Rampath
• over bridge at railway crossing
• Development of tourist places and ponds
• widening of roads 
• heritage light on the road
• Green Field Township Project
• Construction of permanent ghats at Rajghat
• Renovation of old ghats
• Audience gallery at Ram ki Pauri
• Beautification of pilgrim path

What is the price of land in Ayodhya

The price of land in Ayodhya has increased 10 times. Recently Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has bought a plot worth Rs 14.5 crore in Ayodhya. This plot has been purchased in 7 Star Enclave The Saryu. The UP government has fixed the price of residential land at Rs 37,870 per square. At the same time, the price of land of monastery, temple and charitable trust has been fixed at one and a half times more. 

The government has issued some guidelines for land buyers in Ayodhya. If anyone has land arround Ram mandir, under Section 1993 the government can take it anytime if needed. Also, while doing business near the temple campus, special care should be taken that the faith of the common people should not be hurt.