From Gem-Studded Crown To Gold Footwear: A List Of Precious Gifts Offered At Ram Temple
The Ramjanmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya has become the recipient of numerous extravagant gifts following the 'pran pratishtha' of the Ram Lalla idol on January 22.
Among the recent gifts is a grand bow and arrow crafted from rare metal, sent from Odisha's Jagannath Puri. This addition comes after a series of lavish offerings, including a gem-studded golden crown valued at Rs 11 crore, a necklace adorned with 5,000 diamonds, the world's largest incense stick, gold and silver 'charan paduka' weighing 8 kg, a lock and key, and various others dedicated to Lord Ram.
Here's a complete list of precious gifts offered by devotees at the temple.
1) Crown worth Rs 11 crore
A significant and valuable gift gracing the Ramjanmabhoomi Mandir is a gem-studded golden crown, estimated to cost at least Rs 11 crore. Crafted by Surat-based industrialist Mukesh Patel of Greenlab Diamonds, this exquisite crown weighs 6 kg and is made from 4.5 kg of gold, adorned with hundreds of diamonds and precious stones, including ruby, pearl, sapphire, and emerald. Patel's meticulous efforts included sending two employees to Ayodhya on January 5 via air to measure the idol's head and create a crown that would be a fitting tribute to Lord Ram.
2) Rare bow and arrow
In addition to the jewel-studded crown, the rare bow and arrow have captured the attention of devotees and officials alike. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has described it as the "emotion and love" of Ram bhakts (devotees). This symbolic gift, crafted from rare metal and sent from Jagannath Puri in Odisha, adds to the spiritual and cultural significance of the Ramjanmabhoomi Mandir.
¡°This bow and arrow is rare. It can¡¯t be found anywhere else in the world. It¡¯s specially prepared for the Ram temple and has been sent by Mahant Ramkrishna Das from Papdiya Math. The bow and arrow has been prepared by one of his followers, who especially prepared it for the purpose while fasting for three months,¡± said an official of the temple trust.
3) Gold gem-studded footwear
Adding to the list of remarkable gifts is an 8 kg gem-studded 'charan paduka' (footwear). What sets this gift apart is not just its weight and embellishments but also the extraordinary journey it made to reach Ayodhya.
Carried on the head of a 64-year-old man from Hyderabad, Challa Shriniwas Shastri, this gold-plated footwear traveled a distance of 7,200 km during a 'padyatra' (pilgrimage) to Ayodhya. Shastri embarked on this spiritual journey from Rameswaram, retracing the Ayodhya-Rameswaram route believed to have been taken by Lord Ram during his exile. Along the way, he made stops at shivlings as part of his pilgrimage.
4) Necklace laden with 5,000 diamonds
Surat-based diamond merchant Mukesh Patel of Greenlab Diamonds contributed a stunning necklace to the Ramjanmabhoomi Mandir. This exquisite piece is adorned with over 5,000 diamonds, weighing approximately 2 kg, and is crafted from silver.
The intricate workmanship involved 40 artisans dedicating 35 days to create this exceptional necklace, adding another brilliant and valuable gift to the temple's collection.
5) 2,100 kg bell
The temple also received a unique and significant gift in the form of a bell made of 'ashtadhatu' (eight metals) weighing 2,100 kg. This specially crafted bell is designed to produce a resonant and soul-stirring sound, symbolizing a powerful call to prayer within the temple precincts. It stands as a profound reminder of steadfast faith and unwavering devotion to Lord Ram.
6) 108-foot incense stick
A monumental 108-foot incense stick, measuring 3.5 feet in diameter, has been presented as an extraordinary gift to the Ramjanmabhoomi Mandir. Crafted by Vihabhai Bharwad from Tarsali in Vadodara, this colossal creation weighs around 3,500 kg and required almost six months of dedicated effort by Vihabhai working single-handedly outside his home.
The unique incense stick comprises various materials, including 3,000 kg of Gir cow dung, 91 kg of Gir cow ghee (clarified butter), and 280 kg of Deodar wood. The preparation of this grand offering received active support from local MP Ranjanben Bhatt and her team. To transport this monumental creation, a long trailer covered approximately 1,800 km, passing through various cities on its journey from Vadodara to Ayodhya.
7) Colossal lock and key weighing 430 kg??
An extraordinary and unique offering to the Ram temple comes in the form of a colossal lock and key, weighing 400 kg and 30 kg, respectively. Crafted by Satyaprakash Sharma, a lock manufacturer, and his wife Rukmani Sharma from Aligarh district in Uttar Pradesh, the lock is more than 6 feet in length and over three feet in width.
Unfortunately, Satyaprakash Sharma passed away due to a cardiac arrest in December, and his wife completed the lock, which is now considered the world's largest lock. Seer Annapurna Bharti Maharaj brought the lock and key to Ayodhya at Karsevak Puram as a donation to the Ram temple.
It is seemingly a never-ending list of gifts with more than 3,000 items, including silver shoes, ornaments, clothes among others, which were sent to the Ram temple all the way from Nepal¡¯s Janakpur, which is said to be Sita¡¯s birthplace.
The list of unique offerings to the Ram temple also includes a laddu weighing 1,265 kg, sent by a devotee from Hyderabad. Additionally, VHP president Alok Kumar gifted a silk bedsheet featuring the Ram temple to Anil Mishra, who oversees the temple project. The bedsheet, made by a silk manufacturer from Tamil Nadu, adds to the array of special gifts for the temple.
Another notable contribution is a clock that displays the time in eight countries simultaneously, symbolizing the global reverence for Lord Ram and showcasing how devotion transcends borders and unites people across cultures and continents. Renowned chef Vishnu Manohar, a global record holder, prepared 7,000 kg of 'Ram halwa' for the temple.
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