As the nation eagerly anticipates the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, questions linger about whether Sita Mata’s statue will stand alongside that of Lord Ram. The preparations for the grand inauguration are in full swing, with information gradually surfacing each day.
The Idol of Lord Ram at Ayodhya
The sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Temple will feature only the idol of Ramlala, depicting Lord Ram in his form as a 5-year-old child. This choice symbolizes the time before his marriage to Sita Mata. Champat Rai, General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, confirmed that there will be no idol of Mother Sita in the sanctum sanctorum.
Temples Within the Premises
While the central sanctum will exclusively house the idol of Lord Ram, the temple premises will feature various temples dedicated to different deities. Temples for Jatayu Raj and Kubereshwar Mahadev are currently in progress. Before the consecration on January 22, 2024, Prime Minister Modi is set to pay homage to the idol of Jatayuraj and worship Lord Bholenath in the Kubereshwar temple.
Other temples within the premises include those dedicated to Lord Ram’s wife Mother Sita, brother Lakshman, guru Brahmarshi Vashishtha, Brahmarshi Vishwamitra, Maharishi Valmiki, Agastya Muni, Ram devotee Kevat, Nishadraj, and Mata Shabari. The completion of these temples is expected in 2024 or thereafter.
Idols of Lord Ram and Sita Mata
The idols of Lord Rama and Sita Mata will be crafted from rare rocks sourced from Nepal’s Gandaki river. Two significant shilas from Nepal’s Muktinath district, also known as Saligram and believed to be manifestations of Lord Vishnu, were transported to Ayodhya for this purpose. The statues are slated to be completed in time for the Makar Sankranti celebration in January 2024.
According to Hindu mythology, Sita was the daughter of Nepal’s King Janak and was wed to Lord Rama of Ayodhya. The ceremonies for the idols may only commence from Makar Sankranti in 2024, aligning with the Hindu calendar’s auspicious timing when the Sun transitions from the southern to the northern hemisphere.
In the grandeur of the Ram Temple, devotees will witness not just the consecration of Lord Ram but also the manifestation of revered deities, preserving the rich tapestry of Hindu mythology.
