As the nation eagerly awaits the grand consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple tomorrow, the architect behind the majestic structure shares his journey of designing the temple over three decades ago.
Chandrakant Sompura, the creative mind shaping the grandeur of the temple, disclosed the origin of the temple’s design.
“In 1988, Ashok Singhal, the former VHP leader, approached GD Birla, initiating the process,” he told a news broadcaster., adding that Birla, having a longstanding connection with Sompura’s family, summoned him to Delhi to embark on the task of designing the temple.
Recalling the challenging conditions of the time, Sompura revealed, “At that time, we were not allowed to take measuring tapes. It was very difficult for me to envision a temple without proper measurement. So, I used my feet and counted the steps. I remembered all the steps – from left to right, across, and replicated the design inside a big hall where I could take proper measurement.”
The 80-year-old architect highlighted the difficulty of the uphill task 30 years ago, where meticulous planning was executed with limited resources.
Despite the challenges, Sompura presented multiple plans aligned with the vision of a grand temple, with the final plan gaining approval and now becoming a reality.
Belonging to a family of temple architects with a legacy of designing over 200 structures, Sompura’s contribution to the Ram Temple stands as a testament to his artistic prowess.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra provided insights into the temple’s architecture, describing it as three-storied, with each floor standing at 20 feet tall.
Boasting 392 pillars and 44 doors, the temple comprises five mandaps or halls, each serving a unique purpose.
Entrance to the temple is from the east, with devotees ascending 32 stairs through the Singh Dwar.
To ensure accessibility for the differently-abled and elderly, the trust has incorporated ramps and lifts.
One of the temple’s distinctive features is the absence of iron anywhere in its construction, a claim made by the trust, underscoring the traditional and intricate craftsmanship employed in bringing the vision of the Ram Temple to life.
