Ayodhya: The proposed Ram temple in Ayodhya will now be bigger and taller in size. As per the revised design, the height of the temple has been increased from 141-feet to 161-feet.
According to Nikhil Sompura, an architect and son of C. Sompura, chief architect of the temple, "The earlier design was prepared in 1988. Over 30 years have passed... the footfall is likely to increase. People are also very enthusiastic about visiting the temple. So, we thought its size should be increased. As per the revised design, the height of the temple has been increased from 141-feet to 161-feet."
Sompura said that two mandaps have also been added to the design and all pillars and the stones that were carved based on the earlier design will still be used. Only two new 'mandaps' have been added.
The original design that was prepared in 1988, mentioned its height as 141 feet which has been raised to 161 foot tall.
The construction will begin after a grand groundbreaking ceremony on August 5 and for this, invitations have also been sent to the Prime Minister's Office and other VIPs.
The construction of the temple will take around 3.5 years, Sompura said.
"As soon as the groundbreaking ceremony or the 'bhumi puja' is done, the construction work will begin. The team of Larsen & Toubro, along with machinery and materials, have reached the spot and the work on foundation will start right away. It will take 3 to 3.5 years for the completion of the work," Sompura said.
Three-day long Vedic rituals will be held ahead of the grand groundbreaking ceremony, which will revolve around the installation of a 40 kg silver brick as the foundation stone.
The rituals will begin on August 3 with a 'Gauri Ganesh' Puja and will be followed by 'Ramracha' on August 4 in which the 'Ram Naam' will be recited without a break.
The entire ceremony will be telecast live so that all devotees can watch it from their homes.
Sources said that only about 50 persons will be allowed at the event. The restriction on the number of persons has been imposed due to the pandemic.
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra sources said that massive CCTV screens will be put up across Ayodhya so the devotees can watch the programme.
Shankaracharya Objects To 'Bhoomi Pujan Mahurat'
Meanwhile, the Jyotishpeethadheeshwar and Dwarka Shardapithadheeshwar, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati has questioned the "mahurat" of August 5 for laying the foundation stone of the Ram temple.
The Shankaracharya said generally good work is initiated in the "Uttam Kaal" section of the Hindu calendar. "The August 5 date falls in the Dakshinayan Bhadrapada month of the Hindu calendar. August 5 is the second date of Krishna Paksha. In the scriptures, the beginning of the construction of the home/temple in the Bhadrapada month is prohibited," he said.
He said that according to Vishnu Dharma Shastra, the launch in the Bhadrapada month is the cause of destruction. The 'Daivagna Ballabh Granth' states that the home, made in Bhadrapada, brings poverty. Vastu Pradeep also says the same.
Shankracharya said that according to Vastu Rajaballabh, the beginning of Bhadrapada gives zero fruit.
He said that it is also not right to consider it as auspicious due to "Abhijit Muhurta". "Abhijit is prohibited on Wednesday in the marriage of Muhurta Chintamani. Till the Cancer is in the Sun, the foundation stone can be done only in the month of Shravan and not in Bhadrapada," said Shankracharya.
According to scholars, there is no coincidence of auspicious time in "Chaturmas". On social media too, many astrologers have objected to this, citing various almanacs.
(IANS)
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