The pre-planned blueprint of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya was released today by the trust overseeing its construction, a day preceding to the groundbreaking ceremony by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other eminent leaders. A bunch of pictures flaunted a magnificent three-storey stone structure on an elevated platform with multiple turrets, pillars and domes. As per the plan, the temple will be 161 feet tall and almost double the size of what was initiated earlier, according to its architect.
The interiors exhibits a high dome with intricate designs. The design was re-modelled after the Supreme Court verdict in November on the 2.77 acre site claimed by both Hindus and Muslims, where the 16th century Babri mosque stood before it was knocked down in 1992 by Hindu activists who claimed it to be built on the ruins of an ancient temple marking the birthplace of Lord Ram.
The Supreme Court said the site would be handed over for the construction of a Ram temple and an alternative five-acre site would be given to Muslims.
Architect Chandrakant Sompura, who hails from a family of temple architects, was appointed approximately 30 years ago to design the Ram temple. His father Prabhashankar Sompura designed and supervised the reconstruction of the Somnath temple.
Mr Sompura,77, told Press Trust of India that he had followed the “Nagara style” of architecture. The design has been adapted to have five domes instead of two to accommodate more devotees. A shikhara or tower will be built over the sanctum sanctorum.
After the ”bhoomi pujan” or ground-breaking ceremony featuring PM Modi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat apart from 175 spiritual leaders, the construction will take place. It will take around three years to build the temple, said the architect.