Where Will Other Two Ram Lalla Idol Find Their Place In Ayodhya Ram Temple?

Within the sacred confines of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, one Ram Lalla idol currently graces the sanctum sanctorum, while two others, both exquisitely crafted, await their final placement within the temple complex. One of these remarkable idols, skillfully carved from a unique black stone by sculptor Ganesh Bhatt, has recently garnered attention from devotees and art enthusiasts alike, with the release of its photographs.

This 51-inch statue, reflecting the innocence of a five-year-old Ram Lalla, emerged from Krishna Shila, a distinct dark stone sourced from the fertile lands of Hegadadevana Kote in Karnataka's Mysuru.

Although not chosen for the central sanctum, the Trust overseeing the Ram Mandir's affairs has affirmed that Ganesh Bhatt's creation will find its revered place within the temple precinct.

The idol currently adorning the sanctum sanctorum is the masterpiece of Mysuru-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj. This 51-inch representation of divine childhood was intricately chiseled from a three billion-year-old rock, renowned for its azure-colored Krishna Shila or black schist. Excavated from Gujjegowdanapura village in Mysuru, this ancient stone imparts a timeless grandeur to the idol.

Arun Yogiraj's Ram Lalla idol was selected from among three commissioned murtis for its embodiment of child-like innocence blended with divinity and royalty-qualities sought by the temple trust. The idol's eyes, reminiscent of lotus petals, and its moonlit radiant face have enchanted the hearts of worshippers and spectators alike.

The Ram Mandir is poised to enshrine four distinct idols of Ram Lalla: the original Ram Lalla idol, the recently installed idol in the sanctum sanctorum, and the two additional creations by Ganesh Bhatt and Satyanarayan Pandey.