In a unique fusion of traditional Indian heritage architecture and cutting-edge scientific contributions, the grand temple dedicated to Ram Lalla in Ayodhya stands as an iconic structure designed to endure for more than a millennium. Spearheaded by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the temple construction committee, led by Shri Nripendra Misra, emphasizes the role of top Indian scientists and even incorporates technologies from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in its creation.
Architectural maestro Chandrakant Sompura, representing a lineage with a legacy spanning 15 generations and over 100 temples, designed the temple following the Nagar Shaily, typical of northern Indian temple architecture. Mr. Sompura proudly declares the Shri Ram Temple as a rarely seen, unique, and splendid creation in the annals of architecture, not just in India but globally.
One striking feature of the temple is its longevity plan. Misra proudly asserts that the temple has been crafted to last over a thousand years, challenging the typical lifespan of structures. The three-floor temple, covering an area of 2.7 acres with a built-up area of 57,000 square feet, stands as a testament to architectural brilliance.
A notable departure from conventional construction, the temple boasts the exclusion of iron and steel in its structure, a decision rooted in the limited lifespan of these materials. Instead, the architects opted for the very best quality granite, sandstone, and marble, with joints secured using a lock and key mechanism, eschewing cement or lime mortar.
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Ramancharla, Director of the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, actively involved in the project, explains the intricate foundation work. To address the sandy and unstable ground, an engineered soil layer, 12-14 meters deep, was laid without the use of steel re-bars. A 1.5-meter-thick M-35 grade metal-free concrete raft further reinforces the foundation, topped by a 6.3-meter-thick solid granite plinth.
The temple’s visible portion is crafted from ‘Bansi Paharpur’ pink sandstone from Rajasthan, while the sanctum sanctorum features white Makrana marble, the same material used in the construction of the Taj Mahal.
CBRI, actively engaged in the project since early 2020, has contributed significantly, providing structural design for the main temple, designing the ‘Surya Tilak’ mechanism, vetting the temple foundation design, and overseeing structural health monitoring.
Dr. Sharda Srinivasan, an archaeologist at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru, commends the temple’s adherence to traditional dry masonry techniques, notably avoiding mortar, iron, and steel. She highlights the use of the Mortis and Tenon method for joining rocks, emphasizing the temple’s incorporation of traditional architectural principles.
Ramancharla counters that while the temple draws inspiration from heritage architecture, its construction is guided by modern finite element analysis, sophisticated software tools, and 21st-century building codes. He confidently assures that, based on the current state-of-the-art knowledge, the Ram Mandir will undoubtedly stand the test of time, surpassing a millennium.
As the grand temple nears completion, it stands as a testament to India’s rich cultural heritage, seamlessly blending ancient architectural wisdom with contemporary scientific advancements, and promising to be a lasting symbol of devotion and craftsmanship for generations to come.
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