'Feels like Treta Yuga': The Rs 2,000 crore endeavour bringing majestic Ayodhya Ram Temple to life

in the financial year 2024–25 alone, Rs 652 crore was spent on temple construction and other development projects within the premises.

The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has revealed that Rs 1,621 crore has already been spent on building the divine and majestic Ram temple complex in Ayodhya. The total expenditure for the entire project, including associated structures and beautification work, is expected to touch Rs 2,000 crore by April 2026.

The financial details were presented during a Trust meeting at Mani Ram Das Chhawni in Ayodhya. According to the report, in the financial year 2024–25 alone, Rs 652 crore was spent on temple construction and other development projects within the premises.

The main sanctum of the Ram temple is now structurally complete. Other key structures such as the Pilgrim Facility Centre, the Sapt Mandapam, and the sacred Pushkarini (temple pond) have also been completed, with final touches and finishing works currently underway. A large rectangular stone parikrama path (circumambulation corridor) is being built around the temple, with nearly 20% of the work pending. Similarly, the Sheshavatar Mandir—another key structure in the complex—is about 80% complete.

The construction of the grand temple began on August 5, 2020, following a bhoomi pujan (groundbreaking ceremony) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the four and a half years since, approximately Rs 1,200 crore has been spent on the construction of the main temple alone. An additional Rs 400 crore has gone into auxiliary infrastructure including roads, landscaping, security installations, and pilgrims’ facilities.

As the temple rises in grandeur, pilgrims visiting the holy site are left awestruck by its scale and beauty. “I had tears in my eyes when I first saw the temple,” said Shanti Devi, a 64-year-old pilgrim from Chhattisgarh. “It feels as if we are standing in Treta Yug, witnessing Lord Ram’s divine presence. The scale, the sculptures, the devotion in every stone—it is overwhelming.”

Rameshwar Prasad, a devotee from Pune, echoed similar sentiments. “The detailing on the stone pillars, the mandaps, and the aura of the sanctum—it is beyond imagination. This is not just a temple, it is a spiritual revolution.”

Expansion and Future Plans

To accommodate the growing number of devotees and ensure a world-class spiritual experience, the Trust has taken up several infrastructure projects around the main temple. A southern entrance gate is currently under construction. Another grand entrance is planned near Gate No. 3. The Trust is also building a museum, a dharmashala (pilgrim rest house), and a new office complex for its operations.

Additionally, beautification work is underway at the Ram Katha Museum located on the serene banks of the Sarayu River, as part of efforts to enhance Ayodhya’s cultural landscape.

“Between March and May this year, the Trust acquired 10,433 square feet of land at a cost of Rs 1.55 crore to support ongoing and future developments. This includes 3,060 square feet in Bag Bijesi purchased for Rs 47.2 lakh and 6,691 square feet from an individual named Vishwamohini in the same area for Rs 98.2 lakh. Another 682.74 square feet of land in Kot Ramchandra was purchased for Rs 10 lakh,” a trust member told this reporter on Saturday.

Target Completion by April 2026

The Trust has set a target to complete all remaining construction, including ancillary and support structures, by April 2026. “We are committed to making the Ram Mandir not only a place of worship but a timeless spiritual and architectural marvel that will inspire generations,” said a senior Trust member during the meeting.

Kamlesh Srivastava, a senior BJP leader said: “The grand vision behind the project is not just to build a temple but to establish Ayodhya as a global spiritual and cultural capital. With its blend of devotion, art, and architecture, the Ram temple is fast becoming a beacon of India’s ancient heritage and modern aspirations.”