In the heart of the grand Ayodhya Ram
Mandir, 50-year-old artisan Rohit Bhatiya from Rajasthan’s Makrana sits in a
special enclosure, surrounded by a diverse array of guests from various fields.
The majestic structure of pink sandstone, white marble, and granite before him
is the culmination of years of dedication and hard work by nearly 4,000
craftsmen, including Bhatiya, who have transformed 2.1 million cubic feet of
stone into the resplendent symbol of devotion.
For Bhatiya, who has been involved in
the process since 2022, the moment is a culmination of a profound journey. “It
is the happiest moment of my life… I am looking at history that has been
created for thousands of years,” he exclaimed, gazing at the marvel that took
nearly four years to build.
The 51-inch tall iron idol of Ram Lalla,
consecrated within the sanctum sanctorum of the temple on Monday morning,
marked the fulfilment of the artisans’ tireless efforts. Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, after completing the rituals, acknowledged the contribution of
these craftsmen, showering petals on the 100 workers present at the event, all
adorned in neon green safety jackets.
Bhatiya, who played a crucial role in
carving and constructing the floors of the sanctum sanctorum and the throne of
Ram Lalla, shared the prime minister’s words, “The real credit of the temple
work goes to us, and we will be remembered in history for thousands of years.”
Anubhai Sompura, supervising the temple
construction workshop for the last 30 years, expressed his gratitude at
witnessing the temple’s fruition. “I think I am fortunate and was blessed by
Lord Ram that I was able to see Ram Lalla’s grand temple,” said the 70-year-old
from Ahmedabad.
Artisan Rajnikant, hailing from Surendra
Nagar district in Gujarat, emotionally stated, “I am speechless, I cannot
express my feelings,” after being part of the project for 15 years. Lakkhi,
another skilled artisan from Bharatpur district in Rajasthan, returned to
Ayodhya a month before the consecration, stating, “I went back to my village,
but returned a month back to witness such a great moment.” The dedication of
these craftsmen has etched their names into the history of the Ayodhya Ram
Temple.
