The construction of the spire (shikhar) of the Ram temple in Ayodhya commenced on Thursday, October 3. The project is expected to be completed within 120 days, or roughly four months. Once finished, the temple's total height will reach 161 feet, crowned by a Dharma Dhwaj (religious flag) that will stand an additional 44 feet tall atop the peak.
Inaugural Worship Ceremony
Before the actual construction began, a worship ceremony was held at the site to bless the construction process. The primary stone that will be placed at the top of the spire was specifically honored during this ritual, marking the beginning of a significant milestone in the temple’s construction.
Speaking about the progress, Nripendra Mishra, Chairman of the Ram Mandir Nirman Samiti, emphasized that the construction is proceeding at a steady pace and will be completed within the stipulated deadline. He pointed out that the temple has already seen significant milestones, including the Ramlala Pran Pratishtha ceremony held on January 22 this year, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed rituals in honor of Lord Ram at 12:30 PM. Since then, approximately 2.06 crore devotees have visited the temple.
Entire temple will stand 161 feet tall
The design of the spire has been crafted by Sompura architects and was finalized earlier by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trust. Once completed, the entire temple, including the peak, will stand 161 feet tall. The construction of the spire itself is a complex and challenging task, given its significance in temple architecture. To ensure the precision of the work, representatives from all involved agencies were present at the start of the spire’s construction. The focus is on both the structural strength and the aesthetic appeal of the spire to align with the grand design of the Ram temple.
Temples of Seven Sages to Be Built
In addition to the spire, the temple complex will also feature the construction of seven temples dedicated to the seven revered sages—Vasishtha, Kashyap, Atri, Jamadagni, Gautam, Vishwamitra, and Bhardwaj. These temples, collectively referred to as the Sapt Mandir, are scheduled to be completed within the next four months. Statues of all seven sages will be installed in their respective temples.
Nripendra Mishra, in a recent statement, said that the construction of these smaller temples is proceeding rapidly. Alongside this, statues of 24 deities, including Lord Ram and his brothers Lakshman, Bharat, and Shatrughan, have also been completed and will be installed in the main temple soon.
1,500 workers are currently engaged
To ensure timely completion of the project, around 1,500 workers are currently engaged in the construction of the temple’s spire. These workers hail from various states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. The construction company L&T, which is leading the project, has outlined an extensive plan to meet the December 2024 deadline for the full completion of the temple.
L&T’s plan includes employing a large workforce to ensure round-the-clock construction. The Trust has set December 2024 as the target date for the temple’s overall completion, which will include the installation of all statues and architectural elements.
Ram Darbar will be installed on first floor
The Ram temple’s ground floor houses the sanctum sanctorum, which will hold the main deity, Ramlala. On the first floor, the Ram Darbar will be installed, featuring statues of Lord Ram along with his court. Devotees, after offering their prayers to Ramlala, will have the opportunity to ascend to the first floor to worship the Ram Darbar. The plan for the second floor is still under consideration, and no decisions have yet been made about which idols will be placed there.
The Ram temple in Ayodhya is advancing on schedule, with the spire set to be completed in four months. The temple, a symbol of devotion and national pride, will stand as an architectural marvel once finished, drawing millions of devotees from across the world.
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