Meet sculptor Arun Yogiraj, whose idol of Ram Lalla chosen for grand temple in Ayodhya

Arun Yogiraj poses with his exquisite sculpture of Ram Lalla. (Courtesy X)

Arun Yogiraj, a distinguished sculptor from a lineage of five generations of acclaimed artists in Mysore, has earned a notable accolade as his crafted idol was selected for installation at the revered Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

“The selection of the idol for the Prana Pratishtapana of Lord Rama in Ayodhya has been finalised. The idol of Lord Rama, carved by renowned sculptor of our country Yogiraj Arun, will be installed in Ayodhya,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"ಎಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಮನೋ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಹನುಮನು"

ಅಯೋಧ್ಯೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರೀರಾಮನ ಪ್ರಾಣ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಾಪನಾ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ವಿಗ್ರಹ ಆಯ್ಕೆ ಅಂತಿಮಗೊಂಡಿದೆ. ನಮ್ಮ ನಾಡಿನ ಹೆಸರಾಂತ ಶಿಲ್ಪಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯ ಶ್ರೀ @yogiraj_arun ಅವರು ಕೆತ್ತಿರುವ ಶ್ರೀರಾಮನ ವಿಗ್ರಹ ಪುಣ್ಯಭೂಮಿ ಅಯೋಧ್ಯೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಾಪನೆಗೊಳ್ಳಲಿದೆ. ರಾಮ ಹನುಮರ ಅವಿನಾಭಾವ ಸಂಬಂಧಕ್ಕೆ ಇದು… pic.twitter.com/VQdxAbQw3Q

— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) January 1, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed that the entire world is eagerly awaiting the historic consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, appealing to people to light a special 'Shri Ram Jyoti' in their homes to celebrate the day as 'Diwali’.

Sharing his happiness on X, former Karnataka Chief Minister and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa said, "The idol of Lord Rama sculpted by the sculptor Arun Yogiraj of Mysuru has been selected for installation in the magnificent Sri Rama Mandir of Ayodhya, which has doubled the pride and happiness of the entire Rama devotees of the state. Heartfelt congratulations to ‘Shilpi @yogiraj_arun'."

Also Read: Understanding the history of Ram temple through the eyes of foreign travellers

BY Vijayendra, the son of former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and the BJP state president, emphasised that Karnataka has a deep connection with Lord Rama, given that Kishkindha, a significant location in the Ramayana, is situated in the state. Kishkindha is specifically noted as the birthplace of Hanuman, an ardent devotee of Lord Rama.

“I am happy that I was among the three sculptors from the country who were selected to carve the idol of ‘Ram Lalla’,” Yogiraj told news agency PTI.

Also Read: Ram Mandir opening: Temple to have doors from Hyderabad, drum from Ahmedabad

The accomplished sculptor, recognised for crafting the idol of Adi Shankaracharya situated in Kedarnath and the statue of Subhash Chandra Bose installed near India Gate in Delhi, acknowledged that the task presented a significant challenge for him.