Carved in Black Stone, Holding Golden Bow and Arrow: Ram Lalla Idol's Face Revealed, 1st Photos Out

Carved in black stone and holding a golden bow and arrow, the first image of the Ram Lalla idol — released by the Vishva Hindu Parishad — became public on Friday. The 51-inch idol of Ram as a five-year-old child has been placed inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya, three days before the pran pratishtha on January 22.

Sharad Sharma, an office-bearer of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) told PTI that the statue, which is in a standing posture, had its eyes covered with a yellow cloth and was adorned with a garland of roses. The idol has been sculpted by Mysuru-based artist Arun Yogiraj, and was brought to the temple late on January 17 amid the chanting of prayers, as per the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust.

According to a CNN-News18 report, the original idols of Ram (Ram Lalla Virajman) and his brothers will be installed in front of the new idol inside the garbagriha. These have been worshipped since 1949, and are at present kept in the makeshift temple inside the premises; the idols will be moved to the new temple inside the garbagriha before the ceremony. The entire temple complex will be closed to public on January 20 and 21.

The pradhan sankalp was performed by Anil Mishra, who is a member of the trust. “The idea behind the pradhan sankalp is that the pratishtha of Lord Ram is being done for the welfare of all, for the welfare of the nation, for the welfare of humanity and also for those who contributed to this work (related to the temple). Apart from this, other rituals were also performed. Vastra were also given to Brahmins and work has been assigned to everyone,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the January 22 ceremony at the Ram temple, which is expected to be open to the public the next day. Temple trust general secretary Champat Rai said on January 15 that the event will begin at 12.20 pm and is expected to be completed by 1 pm on January 22.

Rituals leading to the ‘pran pratishtha’ have already begun at the temple. “Ramlalla has been installed in the temple. All arrangements, including that of infrastructure, medical facilities and medicines have been made,” deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak told PTI, adding that the entire country is awaiting the ceremony.

Anticipating a massive influx of devotees, the health department has intensified its preparations. Dr Sanjay Jain, chief medical officer (CMO) of Ayodhya, said they are collaborating with the temple trust to establish first aid units at 16 key locations within the event area.

He said the first aid units will have a doctor, pharmacist and a ward boy. They are strategically planned for crowded locations such as the Saket petrol pump, Kanak Bhawan and Hanumangarhi. Each unit will be equipped with necessary medical supplies, including medicines, a nebuliser, oxygen facilities and the capability to conduct blood sugar tests.

Additionally, the health department is establishing two hospitals with capacities of 10 and 20 beds respectively, where doctors will be available to attend to patients. Besides, arrangements for 40 ambulances are also being made, which will be stationed at important locations in Ayodhya.

The health department has reserved 190 beds for emergency in the district’s medical college, Shri Ram Chikitsalaya Ayodhya, district hospital in Ayodhya, Mahila district hospital and Kumarganj hospital. During the ceremony, if anyone faces a medical emergency, they will be initially taken to the two hospitals set up in the event area for treatment. If their condition does not improve, they will be referred to the Shri Ram Hospital.

(With PTI inputs)