Ram Mandir: Arun Yogiraj, the talented sculptor from Mysuru, couldn’t help but marvel at the transformation of Lord Ram’s idol during the Alanakaran (ornamentation) ceremony in Ayodhya. In an interview with Aaj Tak TV, Yogiraj expressed his surprise, stating, “Lalla looked completely different. I thought to myself that this was not my work. Lord Ram had completely transformed after the Alanakaran ceremony.”
He recounted the distinct stages of the idol’s creation, emphasizing how it appeared different during the construction phase compared to the final, adorned form. Yogiraj was astounded by the divine metamorphosis that occurred during the ceremony.
Ram Mandir: Devotion to Lord Ram’s Orders
Yogiraj revealed that he was merely following the orders given by Lord Ram himself during the sculpting process. “Mere lalla ne mujhe aadesh diya, maine follow kiya (Lord Ram gave me the order, and I just followed it),” he said, attributing the divine appearance of the idol to the guidance he received.
Challenges in Idol Creation
Describing the last seven months as particularly challenging, Yogiraj shared the complexities involved in ensuring the idol adhered to the Shilpa Shashtra, representing a five-year-old form of Lord Ram with the innocence of a child. He deliberated on the meticulous planning required to capture the desired emotions and features in the stone.
Bringing Emotion to Stone
Yogiraj acknowledged the difficulty of infusing emotion into stone but expressed his commitment to the task. He recounted seeking feedback from friends about the eyes of Ram Lalla and the challenges of investing time to bring life to the stone. “It is not easy to bring bhaav (emotion) in a stone, and you have to spend a lot of time with it,” he remarked.
Adherence to Sacred Criteria
The sculptor highlighted that he strictly adhered to the Shilpa Shastra, the sacred scripture of the sculpting world, while creating the idol. The temple trust provided specific criteria for the idol, including a smiling face, a divine look, and the representation of a five-year-old form with a princely appearance.
In conclusion, Arun Yogiraj’s journey in crafting Lord Ram’s idol reflects not only artistic skill but also a profound connection with the divine, emphasizing the transformative power of devotion and meticulous craftsmanship.