Ayodhya Ram Mandir inauguration: Learn the cost of constructing with rare images

The foundation stone for the Ram Mandir was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5, 2020. (Image credit: Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra/Twitter).

The 22nd of January will witness one of the most iconic moments in India's contemporary history as the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, will be inaugurated in the presence of around 8,000 dignitaries.

Apart from those present at the inauguration, billions of Indians will be tuning in or following the inauguration with avid interest as the countdown for one of the most anticipated events begins.

Built at an estimated cost of Rs 1,800 crore, the journey towards the construction of the Ram Mandir was first initiated more than 15 years ago when Ashok Singhal, the former Vishwa Hindu Parishad president spoke to Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chief AM Naik about the temple construction in Ayodhya.

The Ram Mandir construction began after the Supreme Court verdict in 2019, where the apex court in a historic judgement handed over the dispute 2.77-acre site in Ayodhya to the Hindu side for the temple construction. (Image credit: Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra/Twitter).

"L&T is a reputed firm. The plan to build the temple was discussed 15 years ago or so. At that time, Naik had promised to construct the temple," Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra general secretary Champat Rai told The Times of India.

The foundation stone for the Ram Mandir was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5, 2020.  The Ram Mandir construction was being monitored by a trust- the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which was created by the central government.

Features of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir

1. The Mandir is in the traditional Nagar style. 2. The Mandir has a length (east-west) of 380 feet, a width of 250 feet, and a height of 161 feet. 3. The Mandir is three-storied, with each floor being 20 feet tall. It has a total of 392… pic.twitter.com/Sp2BzzU5sv — Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra (@ShriRamTeerth) January 4, 2024

The construction began after the Supreme Court verdict in 2019, where the apex court in a historic judgement handed over the dispute 2.77-acre site in Ayodhya to the Hindu side for the temple construction.

The original design was devised in 1988 by the Sompura family of Ahmedabad. The Sompuras have contributed to the design of over 100 temples worldwide for at least 15 generations, including the Somnath temple. (Image credit: Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra/Twitter)

Chandrakant Sompura is the main architect of Sri Ram Mandir. He comes from a long line of temple architects and is the 15th generation of the family hailing from Ahmedabad.

The Ram Mandir construction was being monitored by a trust- the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which was created by the central government.(Image credit: Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra/Twitter)

The original design was devised in 1988 by the Sompura family of Ahmedabad. The Sompuras have contributed to the design of over 100 temples worldwide for at least 15 generations, including the Somnath temple.