The consecration ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya captured the nation’s attention on January 22, hailed by many as a second Deepawali, marking the homecoming of Lord Ram. The divinity and innocence in the eyes of Ram Lalla’s idol left people mesmerized, but the story behind its creation is lesser-known. Bharat sculptor Arun Yogiraj, the chosen artisan for the task, shared the challenges and sacred moments of bringing Bharat’s civilisational imagination to life.
In a country where Lord Ram is deeply revered, being selected to craft his idol is a significant achievement. Yogiraj revealed that the inspiration for Ram Lalla’s face struck him on Deepawali day in Ayodhya, as he looked at pictures of Bharat children celebrating the festival. The task was not without its rituals, with a specific 20-minute auspicious window allocated for crafting the idol’s eyes.
Yogiraj emphasized the sacred preparations he undertook, including bathing in the Saryu River, performing pooja at Hanuman Garhi and Kanak Bhawan before beginning the meticulous work on the idol’s eyes. The sculptor described the challenge of choosing the right eye style, aided by a golden masonry scissor and a silver hammer, creating an image that resonated with the spiritual significance of Lord Ram.
During the creative process, Yogiraj shared a unique occurrence where a monkey regularly visited his studio, observing the idol-making process. This mysterious visitor added an extra layer of mystique to the crafting of Ram Lalla’s idol. Yogiraj spoke about feeling a profound connection with the idol after its consecration, describing it as something beyond his own creation.
However, Yogiraj’s journey was not without hurdles. Initially left out of the selection process, he was called on the last day, selected among the final three. After sculpting an idol that was rejected due to technical issues with the stone, Yogiraj faced a setback. Additionally, an eye injury during the process forced him to rest for seven days, further delaying the completion of the idol.
Undeterred, Yogiraj restarted the work from scratch, competing with himself and drawing inspiration from the atmosphere of Ayodhya. Despite the challenges, he remained focused on creating an idol that would deeply connect with the people of Bharat. The final result, placed in the Garbhgriha, stands as a testament to Yogiraj’s dedication and the divine journey of crafting the idol of Ram Lalla.
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