Ram temple in Ayodhya to open for public by Jan 2024

The Ram temple in Ayodhya will be opened for devotees in January 2024 after the installation of Ram Lalla idol in the sanctum sanctorum on Makar Sankranti. Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai said on Tuesday, the temple will be earthquake-resistant and sturdy enough to last over 1,000 years.

The trust invited mediapersons for an inspection of the site and took them to the elevated spot from where PM Modi inspected the construction work on Sunday. The temple, which will have 392 pillars and 12 doors, is being constructed without using iron bars. Instead, copper chips are being used to join stones, the trust members said.

On PM’s suggestion, a study is being done to assess the impact of the footfall on the 5 km-area around the temple. The temple is being built at a cost of Rs 1,800 crore. Rai said 50% of the construction work has been completed.

The sanctum sanctorum will have 160 pillars while the first floor will have 82. In all,the structure will have 12 entry gates made of teak wood while a majestic main entrance, the ‘Singh Dwar’, on the first floor will lead to the ‘dance’, ‘colour’ and ‘esoteric’ pavilions.

The entir e compound will have five temples, including those of Panchdev, Surya Dev and Vishnu Dev.