The grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, which captivated the nation with its majestic inauguration earlier this year, is now facing significant structural concerns following heavy rainfall. Reports of leakage from the sanctum sanctorum’s roof have emerged, raising questions about the construction quality of this highly anticipated religious project.
The temple, inaugurated on January 22, 2024, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who performed the main rituals of pran pratishtha, saw participation from at least 7,000 attendees, including numerous high-profile celebrities. The event was marked by nationwide fasting and devotional activities, as millions watched the consecration of Lord Ram’s idol on their television sets. The sight of saffron flags, the chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’, and the generosity of bhandaras reflected the fulfillment of a deeply held wish by millions to bring ‘Lord Ram home’.
Despite its grand design and intricate architecture, the temple is now experiencing setbacks. Acharya Satyendra Das, the chief priest, expressed surprise at the leakage, especially given the involvement of engineers from across the country. “It is very surprising. With so many engineers here and the Pran Pratishtha held on January 22, nobody would have thought water would leak from the roof,” Das commented.
Nripendra Mishra, chairman of the temple construction committee, acknowledged the issue, explaining that the leakage was expected because the ‘Guru Mandap’ is exposed to the sky. He assured that the completion of the Shikhar (spire) will cover this opening and that work on the first floor is in progress. However, despite these assurances, the chief priest expressed skepticism about the committee’s claim that the entire temple construction would be completed by December 2024, stating it was “impossible” given the amount of work still required.
The temple, one of the most expensive religious projects in recent times, was constructed at a cost of nearly Rs 1,800 crore, involving thousands of workers. The leakage has raised concerns about the quality of construction, particularly the lack of a proper drainage system. The chief priest warned that if the issue is not resolved soon, it would become difficult to offer prayers once the monsoon rains intensify.
Established by the government in February 2020, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust oversees the construction and management of the Ayodhya temple. The trust has amassed a significant Rs 3,500 crore in donations, with 60 percent of these funds raised between February 2020 and 2021, ensuring ample resources for both construction and ongoing maintenance.
In addition to the temple, four new routes in Ayodhya, inspired by the four Vedas – The Bhakti Path, the Ramjanmabhoomi Path, the Ram Path, and the Dharma Path – have also encountered issues. These routes, equipped with modern infrastructure like solar lights, have started caving in within six months of the inauguration. Heavy rains on Saturday night led to significant waterlogging on Rampath road and its surrounding lanes, with sewer water infiltrating houses in the area and causing damage to newly constructed roads.
In response to the flooding, Ayodhya Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi stated, “I have initiated damage control since this morning. Several municipal teams have been deployed to remove water from the houses.”
The opposition Congress party has capitalized on the incident, accusing the ruling BJP of corruption in the temple’s construction. Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai alleged that the BJP has made Ayodhya a “hub of corruption by getting second-rate construction done in a hurry only to gain electoral benefits.” Rai stated, “Be it the coffin of the martyrs or the temple of God, all these have become opportunities for corruption for the BJP. Even the symbols of faith and purity in the country are just opportunities for loot for them.”
As the monsoon season progresses, the focus remains on addressing the structural issues of the Ram Temple and ensuring the safety and sanctity of this revered site.
(With inputs from agencies)
