Ayodhya Ram Mandir

• 20 Jan 2024

Why in News?

The Pran Pratishtha or consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol will begin with Vishnu Puja and gau daan at the Saryu embankment.

Key Points

• Layout of Ayodhya Ram Mandir:
  • The Temple is built over three 20-foot high floors each with a total of 392 pillars and 44 doors.
  • Makrana Marble and Pink sandstone,granite stone,and colored Marble are used in the construction.
  • Foundation of the temple is built of a 14-metre-thick layer of roller-compacted concrete. And a 21-foot-high granite plinth has been placed to protect against ground moisture.
  • Iron has not been used anywhere in the construction.
• The Architectural style of the temple is Nagara style with Sanctum Sanctorum (garbhagriha), Mandaps (halls), and Mandirs.
• At each corner of the compound will be dedicated to Surya, Bhagwati, Ganesh, Shiv. On the northern and southern arms, temples to Annapurna and Hanuman will be built respectively.
• Temples of Maharshi Valmiki, Vashishtha, Vishwamitra, Agastya, Nishad Raj, Shabri etc have also been proposed.

Nagara Style of Temple Architecture

• It was first developed in North India during the Gupta period in the 5^th century AD, this style is popular in Northern, Western and Eastern India (except the Bengal region), especially in the regions around Malwa, Rajputana and Kalinga.
• It is built on a simple stone platform with steps leading up to the temple.
• Its features include:
  • Sikharas: The garbhagriha is always located directly below the highest Sikhara. There is also a Kalash (Amalaka) installed on Shikhara.
    • Types of Shikaras: Rekha-Prasad or Latina (The Sri Jagannath Temple of Odisha), Shekari (The Khajuraho Kandariya Mahadev Temple), Valabhi (Teli ka Mandir), Phamsana (The Jagmohan of Konark Temple).
• Absence of boundary walls or gateways.
• They are Orissa school, Chandel school and Solanki school.