After 5-year-old child Ram’s idol was revealed in the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ event in Ayodhya, Ram Lalla’s serene and divine face captured everyone’s attention. The talented sculptor of the black stone Ram Lalla statue is none other than the renowned Mysuru-based sculptor, Arun Yogiraj. He is a very talented and sought-after sculptor in the country.
Devotees can’t stop admiring the idol’s unique features, particularly its eyes and smile. The gifted sculptor Yogiraj shared his insights into how he carved the murti and the challenges he faced. Arun Yogiraj is a fifth-generation sculptor, who earlier worked as a management executive after earning an MBA degree. In 2008, he took sculpting as his full-time profession. The black stone that was used to create the 51-inch idol is a special black granite brought from Karnataka.
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Ram Lalla Idol sculptor Arun Yogiraj shares the challenges he faced while carving Ram Lalla’s statue
Yogiraj expressed that the last seven months were most challenging as he contemplated how to complete the idol. He said,
“I had to ensure that the idol adheres to the Shilpa Shashtra, representing a five-year-old form of Lord Ram, capturing the innocence of a child”
The Ram Lalla Idol sculptor added that he gave his 100 percent and stopped all his commercials for the past nine months. Yogiraj stated,
“It was very important for me to give my 100%, and that’s why I stopped all my commercials for the past 9 months. I wasn’t bothered about whether it would get selected. Mental peace was very much important”
Arun Yogiraj also shared an interesting story of a monkey who used to visit him every day
During an interview with Times Now, Yogiraj disclosed that a monkey used to knock on his door every day when he was working on the Ram Lalla idol. According to religious scriptures, monkeys have been disciples of Lord Rama and they are often related to Lord Hanuman. Yogiraj said,
“Around 4-5 pm, a monkey used to knock on the door very loudly every day. He used to come, see, and then go back.”
Arun Yogiraj, the sculptor of the Ram Lalla Idol, speaks exclusively to @madhavgk.
Around 4-5 pm, a monkey used to knock on the door very loudly every day. He used to come, see, and then go back…- Arun Yogiraj (@yogiraj_arun) shares a story of a monkey who used to come daily… pic.twitter.com/9nDiJYk12v
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) January 26, 2024
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The sculptor also said that while giving the presentation to the trust members, when he removed the cloth from the idol, everyone started doing Namaskaram, which made him very happy. He also added that it was a memorable day for him.
After the installation of the Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir he said it seemed that it was not his work. When asked about it, Yogiraj said,
“I took photos of Ram Lalla’s idol from every angle while working on it. However, after the idol was moved to Garbha Griha, I spent around 10-12 hours there doing some other work.
Then, suddenly, after the Alanakaran ceremony, I felt it wasn’t my work; it looked entirely different. I am just an instrument for this.”
You mentioned that Ram Lalla looked entirely different after the installation in Ayodhya, and it wasn’t your work. Why did you say that? – @madhavgk asks Arun Yogiraj (@yogiraj_arun)
I took photos of Ram Lalla’s idol from every angle while working on it. However, after the idol… pic.twitter.com/yDMRdC8Hu3
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) January 26, 2024
In another interview with Aaj Tak TV, Yogiraj said,
“Mere lalla ne mujhe aadesh diya, maine follow kiya (Lord Ram gave me the order, and I just followed it)”
Yogiraj has sculpted a masterpiece, and it really seems that the Lord has certainly picked him for that. Have you visited the Ram mandir in Ayodhya yet? Let us know in the comments.
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