Ayodhya Ram Mandir: Diamond & Gold-Studded Ram Temple Replica By National-Award Winning Artisan

The countdown to the Ram Mandir inauguration at Ayodhya, set for January 22, has officially begun. The excitement amongst Indians and followers of Lord Rama all across the world is palpable.

There are many ways in which people are commemorating the event. A National-Award winning artisan, Varanasi's Kunj Bihari, is making an exquisite replica of Ayodhya's Ram Mandir using diamonds and gold in the Meenakari craft.

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Having made the Ram temple replica with his brother, Kunj Bihari said, "Everybody is doing something or the other for Lord Ram. This is our part of the contribution. We could make this task possible because of Lord Ram's blessings. I have put a light inside the replica so that one can see Lord Ram's statue established inside."

A Ram Mandir made using Gulabi meenakari craft

108 days of sheer hard work is what it took to make a replica of the Ram Mandir using Gulabi meenakari craft.

"I along with my brothers made this replica of Ayodhya's Ram Mandir. The speciality of this Ram temple is that it is made of Gulabi meenakari in 108 days in 108 parts. Gulabi meenakari craft is done with metals like gold and silver", said artisan Kunj Bihari.

He added, "This is entirely devoted to Him (Lord Ram). It weighs 2.5 kg and Jai Shree Ram is engraved on it. Four uncut diamonds have been used on shikars. The entire temple including the flag is made up of silver. Colours have been made using different elements. Blue is made up of cobalt, and, titanium. The colour yellow was created using copper. Gold and magnesium oxides have also been used. 850¡ãC heat is needed to melt and make products of Gulabi Meenakari."

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The intricacies seen in the Ram temple replica is indeed unique - engraving of the national flower lotus on the gate, symbols of bows and arrows and many other such details.

What is Gulabi Meenakari?

Gulabi Meenakari is a 400-year-old craft, dating back to the Mughal era. It were the Persians that brought this craft to India, under the Mughal rule.

Also called enamelling, it is the art of decorating a metal surface by fusing mineral substances on it.

It is often seen in kundan jewellery, which are articles of jewellery studded with gemstones set with a layer of gold foil between the stone and the mount on one side, while the reverse is lavishly enamelled using the meena technique.

Kunj Bihari elaborates: "Gulabi Meenakari has a GI tag, as well as it lies under the category of ODOP (one district one product). It came to India during the Mughal era. Indians gave pink colour to this artform".

All eyes on the Ram temple consecration: January 22

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started an 11-day special ritual in the run-up to the Pran Pratishtha of Shri Ramlala at the temple at Ayodhya.

The Vedic rituals for the pran pratishtha (consecration) of Ram Lalla, the infant Lord Ram in Ayodhya, began on January 16, marking the beginning of the elaborate week-long Ayodhya Ram Mandir pran pratishtha celebration.

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On January 22, the 'Pran Prathishtha' is expected to conclude by 1 p.m.

The general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Champat Rai, said that Ram temple will be open for 'darshan' for the general public from January 23.

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