The countdown for the auspicious Pran Pratistha ceremony has begun as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the event in the presence of the who's who of India. While the one-week ritual has already started in Ayodhya Ram Temple, the much-awaited event of placing Ram Lalla's idol in the sanctum sanctorum took place on Friday. Ayodhya Ram Lall's idol has been getting praise from all around the world and devotees are hailing sculptor Arun Yogiraj for carving out such a divine statue. On Friday, Ram Lalla's idol was first unveiled depicting him as a 5-year-old Prince of Ayodhya. Notably, Ayodhya Ram Lalla's idol is unique and also one of a kind. Below is everything you need to know about Ayodhya Ram Idol specialties-
Why Ayodhya Ram Lalla's idol is unique & one of a kind?
The idol depicts Lord Ram as a five-year-old child in a standing posture holding a golden bow and arrow. The 51-inch Ram Lalla idol, sculpted by Mysuru-based artist Arun Yogiraj, is made of black stone. As per reports, the idol made by Arun Yogiraj was selected unanimously by a panel as it depicted Ram Lalla most uniquely -as a five-year-old child. Ram Lalla's idol weighs around 150-200kg. Reports further suggest that the rock from which the black stone has been chiselled out is a three billion-year-old rock.
Ayodhya Ram Lalla's idol explained
Ram Lalla's idol is 4 feet 3 inches tall and 3 feet wide idol weighing around 150 to 200 kg. The idol has been made using black Karnataka granite and has been carved out of a single stone. The idol has been placed on a lotus pedestal. The idol also depicts the ten avatar of Lord Vishnu- Matsya, Kurma, Varha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki. The idol also showcases Lord Hanuman, Garud, and the Sun God.
Three sculptors were given the task of making Ram Lalla's idol. Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Trust's General Secretary Champat Rai revealed the criteria for selection of the idol for the Ram Mandir- "the idol depicts a 5-year-old boy, the softness of a 5-year-old, the eyes of a 5-year old, a smile, fingers of hands and feet. But, he is also the son of a King, there should also be royalness. As Ram Lalla is Lord Vishnu's Avatar, then a divine look is also needed. Keeping all these criteria in a single idol in mind, we kept three sculptors. FInally, one idol has been selected. "
On January 22, PM Modi will perform the puja for the "Pran Pratistha'. A team of priests led by Lakshmikant Dixit will perform the main rituals of the Pran Prathistha. For the unversed, 'Pran Pratistha' means imbibing the idol with divine consciousness and is a must for every idol that is worshipped in a temple. The auspicious time for it is 12.30 pm on January 22.