On Tuesday, Pralhad Joshi, the Union Minister for Mines, Coal, Law, and Parliamentary Affairs, officially announced that the sculpture of the Ram Lalla idol, skillfully crafted by Karnataka artist Arun Yogiraj, has been chosen for placement at the Ayodhya Sri Ram Mandir on January 22.
In a social media update, Joshi shared, "The sculpture for the Prana Prathistapana of Sri Ram at Ayodhya has been confirmed. Crafted by the esteemed artist from our own land, Karnataka, the talented Arun Yogiraj, this statue is set to be installed at Ayodhya. It beautifully represents the profound connection between Lord Hanuman and Lord Ram. This is undoubtedly a significant contribution to Ram Lalla from Karnataka, recognized as the sacred land of Lord Hanuman."
Karnataka BJP State President BY Vijayendra and MLA S Suresh Kumar extended their congratulations to sculptor Arun Yogiraj, expressing their delight at this noteworthy development.
Meanwhile, members of the Karnataka Congress party paid a visit to Arun Yogiraj's residence in Mysuru city. They conveyed their felicitations to his family members, celebrating the positive development that unfolded on Tuesday.
Congress MLA Harish Gowda, along with former MLA MK Somashekar, leader Dr. Sushruth Gowda, and dedicated party workers, extended their warm felicitations to Arun Yogiraj's wife Vijetha and mother Saraswathi.
Saraswathi, expressing her joy, conveyed her heartfelt wishes and expressed a bittersweet sentiment, expressing a wish that Arun Yogiraj's father had been alive to witness this remarkable achievement of his son.
Arun Yogiraj, who recently completed the creation of the Ram Lalla idol, handed it over to the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust just last week. The meticulous craftsmanship took six months, during which Arun resided in Ayodhya, dedicating 12 to 14 hours a day to his work.
In a statement to the media, Arun Yogiraj shared insights into his challenging task—sculpting a 51-inch-tall Lord Ram at the tender age of five. This artistic endeavor required precision and dedication, and Arun's commitment to the project is evident in the masterpiece he has crafted.
In the pursuit of creating the most exemplary portrayal of Ram Lalla, extensive study and research became the foundation of my artistic endeavor. I delved into schools, actively participated in children's festivals and programs, meticulously observing the subtle nuances distinguishing three-year-old from five-year-old boys. The real challenge lay in crafting an idol that could resonate with both the sensibilities of south and north India. Ultimately, I shaped Lord Ram, depicting him in the iconic pose with a bow and arrow, ensuring a harmonious representation.
The material chosen for this significant sculpture was granite sourced from Bachche Gowdana Pura near HD Kote town in Mysuru district, Karnataka. Standing at an impressive 51 inches in height and 3.5 feet in width, the statue was meticulously crafted to evoke emotions such as the innocence reflected in a child's eyes, a blissful and majestic countenance, and a gentle smile.
It's worth noting that the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust also entrusted GL Bhat, a skilled sculptor from Bengaluru, and Satyanarayana Pande, a seasoned sculptor from Rajasthan, with the task of sculpting the idol of Ram Lalla, reflecting the collective effort to bring this divine vision to life.
(With Agency Inputs)
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