Ram Mandir to cost Rs60.6bn

AYODHYA, India: Ram Mandir has been built on grounds where Babri Masjid stood for centuries before it was torn down in 1992 by Hindu extremists. That demolition had triggered the worst religious riots since independence -- killing 2,000 people, most of them Muslims -- and shook the foundations of India’s officially secular political order.

The construction of the Ram Mandir, estimated at 1,800 crore Indian rupees (Pak Rs60.6 billion ), has been entrusted to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, created by the BJP-led Central government in February 2020. The trust initiated the collection of funds from pilgrims, individuals, and various organisations nationwide and across the world. As of January 19, 2024, the trust amassed over 3,500 crore Indian rupees (Pak Rs117.8 billion) in donations.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) president Alok Kumar said he handed over gifts received from Afghanistan, Kashmir and Tamil Nadu to the ‘Yajman’ of Shri Ram temple Anil Mishra, news agency ANI reported.

VHP president claimed the Kashmiri Muslims gifted 2kg of organically produced pure saffron to the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Shri Mehndipur Balaji Mandir Nyas gifted 1,51,000 boxes of laddoo prasad and 7,000 blankets to Ayodhya’s Ram temple for distribution among the devotees, according to a post by the trust on X.

A 108-foot-long incense stick, weighing 3,610 kg and almost 3.5 feet wide has been gifted to the temple. The incense stick took six months to be made and was created in Gujarat’s Vadodara by a devotee named Viha Bharwad.

The Ram temple received a bell weighing 2,100 kg made of ‘ashtadhatu’ (an alloy of eight metals). The bell was made in Etah’s Jalesar in Uttar Pradesh. Janakpur in Nepal is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram’s wife Sita. More than 3,000 gifts, including silver shoes, ornaments and clothes, have been donated to Ayodhya’s Ram temple.

Devotees gifted the world’s largest lock, weighing 400 kg, and 1265 kg of laddoo prasad to the Ram temple. A diamond merchant from Gujarat’s Surat has gifted a necklace created on the theme of the Ram temple using 5,000 American diamonds and 2 kg silver.

About 2,500 musicians performed on over 100 stages for the crowds of pilgrims around the elaborate temple, built at an estimated $240 million. The ceremony was attended by 7,000 people including top politicians, businesspeople, industrialists and Bollywood celebrities.

According to reports, the guest list included religious leaders and families and representatives from 50 countries around the world. PM Narendra Modi, former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, cricketer Virat Kohli, industrialist Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, Ratan Tata, actor Arun Gowal, Deepika Chakhalia, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Gurubabaram Dev, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat, actors Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Vivek Oberoi, Kangana Ranaut, Manoj Joshi, Randeep, Jackie Shroff, Katrina Kaif, Vicky Kaushal, Madhuri Dixit, Director/Producer Rohit Shetty, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Anupam Kher, Rajinikanth were present. Former plaintiff Iqbal Ansari, involved in the Babri Masjid land case, also attended event.

Former India captain Anil Kumble along with his wife was also present. Sonu Nigam performed at the ceremony. Veteran actress Hema Malini also attended the ceremony.