Old Ram Lalla idol finds place alongside new one in sanctum sanctorum of Ram Temple

New Delhi: While the 51-inch Ram Lalla idol, sculpted by Arun Yogiraj, was placed in the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Temple, the two other idols which could not make it to the consecration ceremony will be placed on first and second floors of the temple. Apart from this, the old Ram Lalla idol, which is presently at the makeshift shrine, has been placed in the sanctum sanctorum alongside the new idol, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust confirmed.

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2 others on 1st, 2nd floors of temple

• Two others, which were shortlisted, to be placed on first & second floors of temple
• One of these is sculpted in dark stone and the other in pure white Makrana marble

Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri said: “The old idol will be placed in front of the new idol. Since the old Ram Lalla is only five-six inches in height it cannot be seen from a distance, hence the requirement for a new idol was felt. Currently, the old idol is in an interim shrine.” On Monday, the eyes of the idol were uncovered during the ‘pran pratishtha’ rituals.

Giri said it was difficult for the trust to choose one idol out of three. “All of them are very beautiful and all followed the criteria provided by us. Our first criteria was that the face of the idol should carry a child-like innocence and possess divine glow. Moreover, Lord Ram was ajaanbaahu (a person whose arms reach the knees). Finally, the one sculpted by Arun Yogiraj was selected for the consecration,” he said. Two other idols that were not selected by the trust will be enthroned on the first and second floors of the temple after its completion, expected to get over by year end.