'Once-in-a-lifetime creation': Exquisite Ram Darbar unveiled at Ayodhya, new idols to last a thousand years

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath attends the consecration ceremony of Ram Darbar and other deity idols at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya. (Courtesy: PTI photo)

A new spiritual milestone was etched in the holy city of Ayodhya on Thursday as the pran pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of the Ram Darbar was performed with grandeur and precision at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple complex. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the auspicious ceremony as the chief guest, underscoring its historical and devotional significance.

The Ram Darbar, established on the first floor of the temple above the sanctum of Ram Lalla, features exquisitely sculpted idols of Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, and his brothers Lakshman, Bharat, and Shatrughna, along with Lord Hanuman. The event marks the most significant spiritual moment at the temple since the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla on January 22, 2024 — exactly 498 days earlier.

The consecration rituals were performed between 11.25 and 11.40am aligning with the auspicious occasion of Ganga Dussehra. Temple priests noted that the rituals coincided with a rare ‘Siddha Yoga’, enhancing the spiritual impact of the ceremony.

"This is a divine alignment. The pran pratishtha of the Ram Darbar in Ayodhya took place on the same day as that in Rameshwaram, symbolically connecting the spiritual geography of India," said Mahant Amrita Das, a senior seer associated with the temple.

The ceremonies began at 6am with elaborate Vedic rites. The temple complex resonated with the chants of mantras, the rhythmic beat of conch shells, and the fragrance of havan fires as saints, acharyas, and priests gathered to invoke divine blessings.

CM Adityanath, who reached Ayodhya at 10.30am, was received by Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, senior BJP leaders, and temple officials. Before heading to the Ram temple, he paid his respects at Hanumangarhi, a revered shrine in the city. At the main ceremony, Yogi performed the abhishek (ritual bathing) of the idols and participated in the unveiling of the Ram Darbar.

Jewels donated by Surat businessman

The idols were adorned with magnificent ornaments, including a 1,000-carat diamond, 30kg of silver, 300 grams of gold, and 300 carats of rubies, all donated by Mukesh Patel, a businessman from Surat. The precious items — used to craft 11 crowns, necklaces, forehead tilaks, earrings, and weapons — were flown to Ayodhya in a chartered plane with government assistance and handed over to the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust.

"These ornaments are not just offerings, they are symbols of national devotion," said Dr. Anil Mishra, a trustee of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra. "The Ram Temple is a confluence of sacred sentiment, architectural brilliance, and scientific vision."

Ram Darbar carved from special marble

The Ram Darbar itself is carved from rare marble slabs that are nearly 40 years old. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime creation," said master sculptor Satyanarayan Pandey, who led the carving work. "The idols will last for a thousand years. The more the marble is washed, the more radiant it becomes."

The marble underwent stringent scientific testing by a team from IIT Hyderabad before being approved. "We evaluated everything — compressive strength, moisture absorption, thermal resistance. Only after extensive analysis did we approve the material," Pandey added.

The primary idol of Lord Ram and his throne stand at 7 feet, while Lord Hanuman and Bharat are seated at 2.5 feet, and Lakshman and Shatrughna stand at 3 feet each.

Saint Mithilesh Nandani Sharan, one of the senior spiritual guides of the ceremony, said: "After Ram Lalla was enthroned earlier this year, devotees across India eagerly awaited this day. With full Vedic procedures and unwavering devotion, Lord Ram, Sita, Lakshman ji, and Hanuman ji have been established in their celestial abode."

The Ram Darbar's consecration is part of a larger sanctification drive underway within the temple complex, he added.

"Between six and eight other shrines are being sanctified, including those of revered Rishis, Mata Shabari, Nishadraj, and Swami Tulsidas ji. These installations bring the essence of the Ramayana to life," the spiritual guide said. "This is not just architecture — this is awakening national consciousness."

As thousands of pilgrims continue to throng the temple daily, security has been heightened. The premises have been designated a Red Zone, with deployment of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), armoured units, and a three-tier surveillance mechanism to ensure the safety of devotees and saints.

The Ram Janmabhoomi Trust has confirmed that full-scale construction of the temple — including all shrines and the remaining structure — will be completed by December 2025.

With the Ram Darbar now enshrined in marble and devotion, Ayodhya stands not only as the birthplace of Lord Ram but also as a living temple to India’s spiritual unity, artistic excellence, and timeless faith.