Ayodhya: Just a month before the grand opening on January 22, the Ram Temple Trust revealed the landscape map of the 70-acre complex. Following the Aatmanirbhar principle, it features facilities like sewer plants, water treatment plants, a fire brigade post, and a dedicated power line to ensure it won’t strain Ayodhya’s municipality, according to Ayodhya Trust’s general secretary Champat Rai.
The grand temple boasts a 14-foot wide peristyle, and the complex is designed as a zero-discharge facility. Here are the top 10 key highlights:
- The grand temple’s entry will be from the east, with the exit located on the south side. The temple structure will eventually consist of three storeys.
- Access to the main temple requires climbing 32 steps from the eastern side.
- Following the traditional Nagara style, the temple complex spans 250 feet in width and 161 feet in height. Each floor, 20 feet high, will feature a total of 392 pillars and 44 gates.
- Uniquely, the Ram Temple will include a 14-foot wide peristyle (outer part around the sanctum sanctorum), covering a distance of 732 meters.
- The ‘peristyle’ corners will honor Sun God, Maa Bhagwati, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Shiva. A shrine for Maa Annapurna will be on the northern side, and on the southern side, there will be one for Lord Hanuman.
- Shrines dedicated to Maharshi Valmiki, Maharshi Vashisht, Maharshi Vishwamitra, Maharshi Agastya, Nishad Raj, Mata Shabri, and Devi Ahilya are planned. Ayodhya’s Kuber Tila features an installed idol of Jatayu.
- The complex will include a pilgrim facilitation center with a healthcare facility and a toilet block. Also, a provision is made for 25,000 people to deposit their shoes, watches, and mobile phones before darshan.
- During the summer, arrangements will be made to spare visitors from walking barefoot between the facility center and the temple.
- Over 70% of the 70-acre temple complex will be dedicated to green areas, including trees aged over a hundred years. The lush jungle is so dense that sunlight doesn’t reach the ground, according to Rai.
- The complex will feature two sewage treatment plants, a water treatment plant, and a dedicated electricity line. A fire brigade post will source water from an underground reservoir, ensuring the groundwater level remains stable. If necessary, water can be drawn from the Sarayu river, Rai added.