Why is it in the News?

A new landmark of India — both structural and spiritual — rose on Ayodhya's horizon on January 22 in the form of a new-age architectural marvel of elegant sandstones, diligently carved by craftspeople with dedication and devotion to Lord Ram.

Major Features of the Ram Temple:

• No iron or steel has been used in the construction of the grand structure.
• Stones have been sourced from Rajasthan's Bansi Paharpur area.
• The entire temple superstructure will eventually be three storeys — ground plus two floors.
• Nagara style: The temple complex, built in the traditional Nagara style, will be 380 feet long from the east to the west, 250 feet wide and 161 feet high.
  • Each floor of the temple will be 20 feet high and have a total of 392 pillars and 44 gates.
• Images of Lord Hanuman, other deities, peacocks and flower patterns have been carved onto the stones, lending the structure a divine look.
• Unique feature: Around the grand temple is a rectangular periphery called percota, a feature found in temples in south India, but not generally in north India.
  • The percota will be 14 feet wide and the periphery span 732 metres.
  • The temple will be nestled within the percota periphery.
• Ornate statues of elephants, lions, Lord Hanuman and Garuda were installed at the main entrance leading to the temple.
  • These statues have also been made using sandstone brought from Bansi Paharpur.
• An ancient Shiva temple that exists on the Kuber Tila has also been revitalised.
• Green Complex: About 70 per cent of the complex will be a green area.
  • "The green area includes portions which are very dense and, in some segments, even sunlight hardly filters through.
• The complex will have two sewage treatment plants — a water treatment plant and a dedicated electricity line from the powerhouse.
  • The fire brigade post will be able to source water from an underground reservoir.

Additional Architectural Aspects:

• A time capsule, located approximately 2,000 feet below the ground beneath the temple, houses a copper plate inscribed with pertinent information about the Ram Mandir, Lord Rama, and Ayodhya.
• The objective of this time capsule is to preserve the temple's identity for posterity, preventing it from fading into obscurity in the years to come.
• Engineered as an earthquake-resistant structure, the temple boasts an estimated age of 2500 years.