Ram Temple a true amalgamation of India: Bits from all corners of India & abroad make it a national marvel

LUCKNOW/AYODHYA: The Ram Temple in Ayodhya is a true amalgamation of India, a closer look at the details indicates.
The idol of Ram Lalla for instance, has been carved by Arun Yogiraj, from Karnataka's Mysuru. The stone used for the idol is also from Mysuru. Temple architect Chandrakant B Sompura belongs to Ahmedabad. The marble used for the temple was sourced from the renowned Makrana in Rajasthan, while its polished teakwood was brought from Maharashtra.

"Over a 100 construction agencies/firms from different parts of India have contributed to the making of the temple.Water and sacred soil from almost all pilgrimages of India, including Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kailash Mansarovar, Prayags (there are seven Prayags) and all puris (seven holy towns in India, besides Ayodhya) have been used in the making of the temple," trust general secretary Champat Rai said as he welcomed the guests on Monday.
Earlier, sacred soil from over 2,500 places from all over India, including Jhansi, Bithoor, Haldighati, Yamunotri and Golden Temple was used in the making of the temple, besides Ayutthaya city in Thailand that connects itself with Ayodhya. Also, water from 155 countries, including Pakistan, Uzbekistan, China, Germany, Bangladesh and others was provided for jalabhishek (sacred bath) of the deity. The ceremony was attended by more than 6,500 people from different walks of life.
"Seers from 150 schools of thought and upasana paddhati (worship systems) were present along with exemplary persons from diverse fields, including science, sports, arts, music, dance, writing besides those from industry, government, and defence services," Rai said, adding, "the music instruments from every single state of India were being played on the temple premises for the ceremony".
Even the bhog offered to the deity included special prasadas from places like Mahakaal, Ujjain, Mehndipur Balaji, Dausa, Banke Bihari temple, Mathura, besides one prepared by the temple itself.
The "Indianness" has found its place at various levels of the making of the temple. For instance, in the final leg of preparations, work went on 24X7 to complete facilities in the city, prompting many visitors to comment that "Ayodhya was changing by the hour".
"One could not source ordinary labourers for specific requirements of Ayodhya. So, artisans and skilled workers from Rajasthan, Odisha and Bengal were hired especially for the artwork. I think the hands of these nameless and faceless craftsmen and artisans who put in their skills with all their hearts and souls must be counted," said an officer monitoring projects in Ayodhya.
The contributions of the people can't be forgotten, either. "Over 85% of the contributions was from the common people, in denominations of less than Rs 50," a trust member said.
"Ram in his entity is a true reflection of Indianness. It is for this that we commonly believe in the proverb 'sabke Ram and sab mein Ram' (Ram for all & Ram in all)," said Ayodhya mayor Mahant Girishpati Tripathi, who's also the head priest of Tewari Mandir.
Former vice-chancellor of Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University Manoj Dixit asserted that the same holds true for Ayodhya. "Most people do not know that Ayodhya is the only city to have temples belonging to 64 castes and communities of India. Each worship Ram in their unique ways and share the joy," Dixit said.