Ayodhya Ram Temple: There is a lot of discussion about the famous sculptor of Mysore, Arun Yogiraj, who sculpted the idol of Lord Ram after the consecration of Ramlala on January 22 in the Ram temple of Ayodhya. Stories are coming to light about the dedication and hard work with which he carved the statue.
According to India Today report, Sanskrit and music scholar Sumadhur Shastri, who witnessed the sculpture while it was being carved, has shared his experiences. Sumadhur Shastri told that Arun Yogiraj woke him up in the middle of the night several times in the last seven months and asked him to come with him saying that ‘Ram Lalla is calling’.
Sumadhur Shastri told that initially Satyanarayan Pandey had come to make the idol of Ramlala for the sanctum sanctorum and then the name of GL Bhatt came up. Ultimately Arun Yogiraj was selected for this work.
The instruction was to make a statue in the form of a child.
Sumadhur Shastri said that the temple trust had given clear instructions that the idol of Ram Lala should be in child form, whose height should be 51 inches and special attention should be paid to the details of hair and features. There was a detailed discussion about all the divine qualities.
According to the report, Sumadhur Shastri told that Arun Yogiraj started his work with some delay. Shastri also said that initially there was a challenge in communication between him and Yogiraj but then a middle path was found by talking in broken English.
These measures were taken to understand the North Indian form of Ramlala
Shastri told that to understand the North Indian form of Ramlala, he visited Swami Narayan Chhapaiya Temple and saw temples in Naimisharanya. He told that the form of the idol was discussed with the saints and the scriptures and verses of Ramayana were studied in depth to understand the divine form. They said that Ram Mandir Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra used to inspect the work from time to time.
Gold chisel and silver hammer were used to carve the eyes.
Sumadhur Shastri told that the process of making eyes in the idol of Ramlala was special. For this, a gold chisel and a silver hammer were used very delicately. He said that while making the eyes, special attention was paid so that when Ramlala is seen, everyone should have the feeling of being seen by God.