Matter of pride: Karnataka BJP chief praises sculptor Arun Yogiraj on Ram Lalla idol selection

BENGALURU: Heaping praise on Karnataka sculptor Arun Yogiraj, after his carving of Ram Lalla was selected for the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ at the grand temple in Ayodhya on January 22, the BJP’s state chief B Y Vijayendra on Tuesday called it a ‘matter of pride’ for the state.

As the anticipation around the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of Ram Lalla continues to gather steam, the idol carved by sculptor Arun Yogiraj from Mysuru was said to have been finalised for the consecration at the Ram Temple on January 22, though the temple trust has not made any formal announcement.

“Karunadu’s (Karnataka) connection with Sri Rama and Hanuman is documented in history. Now the Sri Rama Lalla idol of Ayodhya, carved by a sculptor from Karunadu, has built a deeper emotional connect with the revered deities. It is a matter of pride for us that Ramlalla murthi, created by the unique sculptor and art genius of Mysuru, @yogiraj_arun, will be enshrined on January 22nd at Sri Rama Mandir, Ayodhya”, the Karnataka BJP chief posted from his official X handle.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi confirmed as much on his social media handle on Monday, saying a renowned idol-maker from the ‘land of Hanuman’ will see his piece of creation find pride of place at the Ram Temple on January 22.

With Karnataka home to a grand Hanuman temple and believed to be the birthplace of the deity, Joshi termed the selection of the idol shaped by a sculptor from the state for the Ram Temple as an “example of Rama-Hanuman’s inextricable relationship”.

“Where Rama is, there is Hanuman, The selection of the idol for the Prana Pratishtapana of Lord Rama in Ayodhya has been finalised. A renowned sculptor of our country, our proud Mr@yogiraj_arun, the idol of Lord Rama carved by him will be installed in Ayodhya”, the Union Minister posted from his official handle on X.

“This is another example of Rama-Hanuman’s inextricable relationship. There is no mistaking that this is an important service to Ramlallani from Karnataka, the land of Hanuman,” Joshi added in his post.

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra is the trust entrusted with the construction and management of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Designs by three sculptors were under consideration by the Trust. Among the figures being considered for the grand installation inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Temple was a 51-inch-tall idol, depicting a five-year-old ‘Ram Lalla’.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple on January 22. Preparations are under way in full swing for the event, which is expected to be attended by thousands of dignitaries and people from all sections of society.

Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) in Ayodhya will begin on January 16, a week before the main ceremony. A priest from Varanasi, Lakshmi Kant Dixit, will perform the main rituals of the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla on January 22. From January 14 to January 22, Ayodhya will mark the Amrit Mahautsav.

A 1,008 Hundi Mahayagya will also be organised, in which thousands of devotees will be fed. Several tent cities are being erected in Ayodhya to accommodate thousands of devotees, who are expected to arrive in the temple town of Uttar Pradesh for the grand consecration. According to the Sri Ram Janambhoomi Trust, arrangements will be made for 10,000-15,000 people. (ANI)