The creator of the Ram Lalla idol, Arun Yogiraj, travelled to Ayodhya on Monday to take part in the pran pratishtha ceremony, at Ram Temple. Sculptor Yogiraj, who works out of Mysuru, declared that he is the “luckiest person on earth right now.”
“I feel I am the luckiest person on the earth now. The blessing of my ancestors, family members and Lord Ram Lalla has always been with me. Sometimes I feel like I am in a dream world…,” Arun Yogiraj told news agency ANI.
People from all walks of life, including representatives of the nation’s major spiritual and religious sects, members of various tribal communities, and celebrities, were present for the “pran pratishtha” of the idol of Ram Lalla, (the childhood form of Lord Ram). Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the grand ceremony. Lakshmikant Dixit led a group of priests who carried out the principal ceremonies.
Last Monday, the idol of Lord Ram was brought into the Ayodhya temple’s sanctum sanctorum. The first image of the idol, hidden behind a veil, was shown during the sanctum sanctorum placement ceremony. Crafted from the same stone, the 51-inch-tall idol depicts Lord Ram as a five-year-old boy standing atop a lotus.
More about Arun Yogiraj
Arun Yogiraj is a sculptor of distinction who comes from a five-generation family of well-known Karnataka sculptors.
At an early age, Yogiraj began his voyage into the world of sculpture, greatly influenced by his grandfather, Basavanna Shilpi, who was supported by the King of Mysore, and father, Yogiraj.
Yogiraj worked in the business world and briefly pursued an MBA, but his natural love of sculpture pulled him back into the field in 2008.
Yogiraj’s artistic talent has now blossomed, enabling him to produce sculptures that are recognized across the country.
A 30-foot statue of Subhash Chandra Bose is one of the many striking sculptures in Yogiraj’s portfolio. It is prominently displayed behind the Amar Jawan Jyoti, which is located near India Gate in New Delhi.
The nation’s prime minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has also acknowledged Arun’s talent. When it comes to making the most out of the possibilities that come his way, Arun is resourceful. This is the way that demand for his artwork has grown throughout the nation’s states.
Statue of Subhash Chandra Bose was also sculpted by Arun
The main attraction of the ornate canopy behind the Amar Jawan Jyoti behind the India Gate is a thirty-foot statue of Subhash Chandra Bose, sculpted by Arun. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to erect a statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at India Gate in honour of his contribution to the liberation struggle ahead of the 125th anniversary of his birth. Arun Yogiraj also supported this idea. In addition, he won the Prime Minister’s gratitude by giving him a two-foot-tall monument of Subhash Chandra Bose.
Before this, Arun Yogiraj had also sculpted a 12 feet tall statue of Adi Shankaracharya in Kedarnath.
By: Gursharan Kaur