Old idol will also be placed in new temple: Nripendra Mishra

Ayodhya, Jan 23 (IANS) The original idol of Ram Lalla that reportedly appeared inside the Babri Masjid on the night of December 22, 1949, and led to a prolonged legal battle, will also be installed in the new temple.

The idol was in a makeshift tent after the demolition of the Babri structure on December 6, 1992 and later shifted to a temporary temple.

Several people claim that they saw a Ram idol mysteriously appear in the Babri Majid, which intensified religious sentiments around the site and led to a legal battle that went on for decades.

Nripendra Mishra, chairman of the temple construction committee, said on Tuesday, "The lord, who is already there, will also move to the new temple. Ceremonies are being performed. The idol, which is in the temporary temple, will also move to the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum). The old idol will also be placed on the throne and will be seated on a throne opposite the new Ram Lalla idol.”

On Monday, the new idol sculpted by Mysuru-based artist Arun Yogiraj was placed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple during the grand 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at Ayodhya.

The 51-inch idol, carved from black stone, is dressed in a yellow dhoti with a golden crown, and necklaces, holding a golden bow and arrow.

"You will have a standing idol of Ram Lalla, and also the 'murti' (idol) which appeared in 1949. Both idols will be at the singhasan (throne)," Mishra added.

The event ignited religious fervour across India, with many states declaring a holiday, stock markets shut and homes and businesses illuminated.