Renowned sculptor Arun Yogiraj, the artist behind the Ram Lalla idol, graced the temple town of Ayodhya for the pran pratishtha ceremony of the newly constructed Ram Mandir. Expressing his profound gratitude, Yogiraj, a sculptor from Mysuru, considered himself the “luckiest person on earth,” acknowledging the blessings of his ancestors, family, and Lord Ram Lalla.
The ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony for the idol of Ram Lalla, attended by diverse representatives, including spiritual leaders, tribal communities, and notable personalities, is set to be presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Led by priest Lakshmikant Dixit, a team of priests will conduct the primary rituals, marking the culmination of the grand ceremony.
The idol of Lord Ram, unveiled last week inside the temple’s sanctum sanctorum, stood at 51 inches, depicting the deity as a five-year-old standing on a lotus, all carved from black stone. Covered in a veil, the first glimpse of the idol was revealed during the sanctum sanctorum placement ceremony.
Who is Arun Yogiraj?
– Arun Yogiraj is a distinguished sculptor from Karnataka, with a heritage spanning five generations of renowned sculptors.
– His journey into sculpting began at a young age, influenced by his father, Yogiraj, and grandfather, Basavanna Shilpi, who had the patronage of the King of Mysore.
– Despite briefly pursuing an MBA and working in the corporate sector, Yogiraj’s passion for sculpting led him back to the art form in 2008.
– Since then, Yogiraj’s artistry has flourished, and he has gained nationwide recognition for creating iconic sculptures.
– His portfolio includes an impressive 30-foot statue of Subhash Chandra Bose, prominently displayed behind the Amar Jawan Jyoti near India Gate in New Delhi.
