Arun Yogiraj, the Mysuru-based sculptor who crafted the idol of Ram Lalla, arrived in Ayodhya on Monday for the consecration or ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony of the newly constructed Ram Mandir. Expressing his joy, Yogiraj said, “I feel I am the luckiest person on the earth now. The blessing of my ancestors, family members and Lord Ram Lalla has always been with me.”
The consecration ceremony, presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will be attended by people from all walks of life, including representatives of major spiritual and religious sects of the country, representatives of various tribal communities, and prominent personalities. The main rituals will be performed by a team of priests led by Lakshmikant Dixit.
The idol of Lord Ram, a 51-inch-tall sculpture portraying Lord Ram as a five-year-old child standing on a lotus, was placed inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in Ayodhya last week. The first photo of the veiled idol was revealed during the placement ceremony.
Arun Yogiraj hails from a lineage of five generations of renowned sculptors in Karnataka. Despite briefly pursuing an MBA and working in the corporate sector, Yogiraj’s innate passion for sculpting, deeply influenced by his father and grandfather, drew him back into the art form in 2008. Since then, his artistry has flourished, leading him to create iconic sculptures that have gained nationwide recognition, including a 30-foot statue of Subhash Chandra Bose, prominently displayed near India Gate in New Delhi.
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