Here’s What Happened To The Old Lord Ram Idol That ‘Appeared’ Inside Babri Masjid In 1949

The grand inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya was a joyous occasion celebrated by millions of Hindus worldwide. The ceremony was attended by prominent figures such as film stars, athletes, musicians, and industrialists.

Three idols of Lord Ram were made, from which the one sculpted by Mysuru-based Arun Yogiraj was selected for the glorious Pran Prathistha ceremony. However, what is going to happen to the Old Ram Idol which appeared inside the Babri Masjid back in 1949? Well, plans are being made for its installation as well.

It was very difficult to choose one idol out of three for the newly constructed temple

Selecting one idol out of the three was a challenging task for us. Mr. Giri expressed, “All of them are very beautiful, and each adhered to the criteria we provided,” referring to the process of choosing the Ram Lalla idol sculpted by Mr. Yogiraj.

The recently consecrated idol, standing at 51 inches, is crafted from black stone and adorned in traditional attire. The deity is draped in a vibrant yellow dhoti, complemented by a regal golden crown and necklaces. In the divine hands of the idol rest a golden bow and arrow, symbolizing the iconic attributes associated with Lord Ram.

Mr. Giri explained the criteria for choosing the Ram Lalla idol, emphasizing a ‘child-like face’ with a divine glow and ‘arms of the length’ characteristic of Lord Ram. The selected idol, stout and possessing a good personality, met these criteria, with well-proportioned limbs. The intricate engraving of ornaments added to the idol’s beauty, reflecting the delicate nature of the child.

Mr. Giri shared his hands-on involvement in the selection process, visiting Ayodhya monthly and inspecting the carving sites, which were off-limits to the public. The sculptors dedicated four to five months to crafting the idols, allowing the decision-making team a day to assess and choose.

भए प्रगट कृपाला! pic.twitter.com/ARbwzYZ2SF

— Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra (@ShriRamTeerth) January 22, 2024

What happens with the old Ram Lalla idol that mysteriously appeared inside the Babri Masjid in 1949?

For over seven decades, the old Ram Lalla idol has been housed in a makeshift tent-like structure, with its origins tracing back to the night of December 22, 1949, when it reportedly appeared inside the Babri Masjid. The mysterious appearance of the idol fueled religious sentiments and triggered a prolonged legal battle over the site.

Amidst this historical backdrop, Govind Dev Giri, the treasurer of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, recently shared plans for the revered old idol. According to him, the idol of Ram Lalla, which has long been kept in a temporary shrine, is set to find a new place of honor. It will be positioned in front of the newly consecrated 51-inch Ram Lalla idol sculpted by Mysuru-based Arun Yogiraj.

Mr, Giri said as we quote,

“We shall place them in the temple with all honour and respect. One of the idols will be kept with us since we will need it to measure the clothes and ornaments of Prabhu Shri Ram.”

He further added,

“The original idol is very important. It is five to six inches in height and cannot be seen from a distance of 25 to 30 feet. That is why we needed a bigger idol.”

Nripendra Misra, chairman of the temple construction committee told NDTV,

“The lord who is already there will also move to the temple. Ceremonies are being performed. The idol which is in the temporary temple will also move to the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum). 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)”

The final phase of the temple construction will be completed by 2025

The Ram Temple stands on a 2.67-acre plot within a 70-acre complex, with only the first phase currently completed. Mr. Giri disclosed that over ₹1,100 crore has been invested in the temple’s construction, and an additional ₹300 crore may be required to finish the project. Presently, one storey has been built, and plans are underway for the construction of another storey. The final phase is anticipated to be finished by December 2025, marking the complete realization of the grand Ram Temple project.

Regarding the historic event, Mr. Giri likened it to Diwali after 500 years, expressing the prevalent sentiment of celebrating Lord Ram’s return to his original place with love and respect.

The new Ram temple in Ayodhya opened its doors to the public on Tuesday. More than thousands of devotees gathered near the main gateway along the Ram Path late on Monday night, eager for an early entry the next morning.

What are your thoughts on the old idol being placed finally inside the temple? Do share your thoughts via the comments below.