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{{Short description|Child form of Hindu deity Rama}}
{{Merge to|Ram Mandir |discuss=Talk:Balak Ram murti (idol) of the Ram Mandir#Merger proposal |date=March 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
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| alt = An image of an idol resembling a 5-year-old child Rama, wearing a crown, dressed as a prince, and adorned with ornaments. The idol is sculpted from a black granite stone known locally as ''Krishna Sila'' and is 51 inches tall. The deity holds a bow and an arrow as weapons.
| caption = The central image of the deity at the [[Ram Mandir]] located at [[Ram Janmabhoomi]] in Ayodhya
| name = Bālak RamBālakarāma
| Devanagari = बालकराम
| Sanskrit_transliteration = {{IAST|Bālakarāma}}
| affiliation = Form of [[Vishnu]]/[[Rama]]
| abode = [[Ayodhya (Ramayana)|Ayodhya]]
| weapon = Bow and arrow{{efn|The name of Rama's bow is {{IAST|Kodanḍa}} and his arrow is the {{IAST|Rāmabāṇa}} that is supposed to be infallible upon release.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Flipside of Hindu Symbolism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ewRfp4qpvt4C|year=2007|publisher=Fultus Corporation|author=M.K.V. Narayan|isbn=978-1-59682-117-0|page=35}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ramabana, Rāmabāṇa: 7 definitions|url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ramabana|access-date=2024-01-25 |website=Wisdom Library|date=12 May 2018 }}</ref>}}
| other_names = RamRāma LallaLallā VirajmanVirājamāna
}}
 
'''Balak Ram'''<ref name=NewNameofDeity>{{cite news |editor=HT Newsdesk |date=23 January 2024|title=Ayodhya mandir's new Ram Lalla idol will now be called by this name|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ayodhyas-new-ram-lalla-idol-will-now-be-called-balak-ram-101706003525225.html|work= Hindustan Times|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref> ({{Lang-sa|बालकराम|lit=child Rama}}, {{IAST3|Bālakarāma}}), also known as '''Ram Lalla''', is the primary ''[[murti]]'' (idol) of the [[Ram Mandir]], a prominent [[Hindu]] temple located at [[Ram Janmabhoomi]], the mythicalpresumed birthplace of the [[Hindu deity]] [[Rama]] in [[Ayodhya (Ramayana)|Ayodhya]], [[India]] .<ref name=ThirdlargestTempleReference>{{cite news |last=Wattas|first=Rajnish |date=23 January 2024|title=Ram Mandir and Hindu temple architecture|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/ram-mandir-and-hindu-temple-architecture-583811|work= Tribune India|access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=What Happens To Old Ram Idol Which "Appeared" Inside Babri Masjid In 1949 |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ayodhya-ram-temple-ram-lalla-idol-explainer-in-a-makeshift-tent-since-1949-what-happens-to-old-ram-lalla-idol-now-4915720 |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref> ''Balak Rama'' is housed in the sacred ''sanctum sanctorum'' ({{IAST|garbha grihagṛha}}) of the ''Ram Mandir'', which has been built in thea traditional [[Hindu temple architecture|Nagara style]] architecturetemple.<ref name=IT0124>{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ram-lalla-idol-ram-mandir-arun-yogiraj-ayodhya-2493046-2024-01-24 |title=Ram Lalla gave me the order, I just followed it' Arun Yogiraj on making the idol |newspaper=India Today |date=25 January 2024 |access-date= 25 May 2024}}</ref><ref name = Nagara>{{cite news|date=31 January 2024|title=Why is Ayodhya Ram Mandir built in Nagara style of architecture|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/ayodhya-ram-mandir-nagara-style-of-architecture/articleshow/107271908.cms|work= [[Times of India]]|access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref> The ''murti (idol)'' was consecrated in an elaborate [[Prana pratishtha]] ceremony on January 22, 2024.<ref name="reuters-Ram">{{Cite web |date=22 January 2024 |title=India's Modi leads consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-counts-down-opening-grand-ram-temple-ayodhya-2024-01-22 |access-date=1 March 2024 |website=Reuters |language=en-US|quote="Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the consecration on Monday of a grand temple to the Hindu god Lord Ram on a site believed to be his birthplace"}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Explained: From 1528 To 2024, A 500-Year Timeline Of Ayodhya Ram Temple |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ayodhya-ram-temple-explained-from-1528-to-2024-a-500-year-timeline-of-ayodhya-ram-temple-4909652 |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref>
 
Rama is one of the principal [[Hindu deities|deities of Hinduism]] and is traditionally considered by Hindus as the seventh [[avatar]], or incarnation, of [[Vishnu]]. Before the Ram Mandir's inauguration, the deity was referred to by the previous name of '''{{transliteration|hi|ISO|Rām Lallā Virājamān}}''', whose idol was first placed in the complex in 1949. The [[Ram mandirMandir]] location and the building of the mandir is [[Ayodhya dispute|controversial]] due to the demolition of a mosque formerly located at the place, and is an important subject of political debate in India.<ref name="Controversial"/>
 
''Balak Ram'' idol represents a five-year-old form of Lord Ram and was prepared by sculptor [[Arun Yogiraj]] adhering to the Shilpa Shashtra, a sacred scripture of the sculpting world.<ref name=IT0124/> On April 17, 2024, the first [[Ram Navami]] (Ram's birth festival) after the consecration of Ayodhya's [[Ram Temple]] with ''Balak Ram'' murti was celebrated by thousands of devotees across India.<ref name = IE18Apr>{{cite news|date=18 April 2024|title=Ayodhya Temple On Ram Navami, ‘Surya Tilak’ shines on Ram Lalla|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/ayodhya-temple-on-ram-navami-surya-tilak-shines-on-ram-lalla-9276650/|work=Indian Express|access-date=18 April 2024}}</ref> On this occasion, the forehead of the ''Ram Lalla'' idol was anointed with a ray of sunlight, known as ''Surya{{IAST|Sūrya Tilak''Tilaka}}.<ref name=NDTV18Apr>{{cite news|date=17 April 2024|title=The Science Behind 'Surya Tilak' Ceremony At Ayodhya's Ram Temple|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/the-science-behind-surya-tilak-ceremony-at-ayodhyas-ram-temple-5460250 | work=NDTV|access-date=18 April 2024}}</ref>
 
==Historical background ==
==History==
{{See also|Ram Janmabhoomi}}
According to the ''[[Ramayana]]'', Rama was born in [[Ayodhya (Ramayana)|Ayodhya]].<ref>{{cite book | translator-last1= Shastri | translator-first1= Hari Prasad | date = 1952 | title = The Ramayana of Valmiki | url = http://archive.org/details/TheRamayan | location = London | publisher = Shanti Sadan | page = 42}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-09-10 |title=Hindus' faith in Lord Ram's birthplace based on 'Valmiki Ramayana', 'Skanda Purana': SC|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/hindus-faith-in-lord-ram-s-birthplace-based-on-valmiki-ramayana-skanda-purana-sc-119111000393_1.html |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=Business Standard}}</ref> The ''[[Babri Masjid|Masjid-i-Janmasthan]]'' (mosque of birthplace) was built by [[Babur]] at the site, alledgedlyallegedly destroying a Hindu temple commemorating Ram's birthplace.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w5SlnZilfMMC|title= The Ethics of Terrorism|publisher= Charles C. Thomas|year=2009|language=English|isbn=978-0-398-07867-6|editor-last1=Gilly|editor-first1=Thomas Albert |editor-last2=Sergevnin|editor-first2=Vladimir|page=25}}</ref> Historical accounts by some European travellers who visited Ayodhya during the [[early modern period]] report that the Hindus believed the mosque and its immediate surroundings to be the exact birthplace of Rama.<ref>{{cite book |last=Jain |first=Meenakshi |author-link=Meenakshi Jain |title=Rama and Ayodhya |publisher=Aryan Books |location=New Delhi |year=2013 |isbn=978-81-7305-451-8|pages=120–121}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Kishore |last=Kunal |title=Ayodhya Revisited |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gKKaDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA335 |publisher=Prabhat Prakashan |page=xv|year=2016 |isbn=978-81-8430-357-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hEOFAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA8 |title=Destruction and Conservation of Cultural Property |publisher=Routledge |year=2003 |isbn=978-1-134-60498-2 | last1 = Layton| first1= Robert | last2 = Julian| first2 = Thomas|page=8 }}</ref>
 
In 1949, the idols of "Ram Lalla" were placed in the disputed mosque, with some locals claiming that they had miraculously appeared there.<ref name="Godbole 1996">{{cite book | last=Godbole | first=M. | title=Unfinished Innings: Recollections and Reflections of a Civil Servant | publisher=Orient Longman | year=1996 | isbn=978-81-250-0883-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ItQF4g08KbwC&pg=PA332 | access-date=2024-01-04 | pages=332–333 | archive-date=4 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104142502/https://books.google.com/books?id=ItQF4g08KbwC&pg=PA332 | url-status=live }}</ref> Subsequently, in 1950, the state administration took control of the structure and allowed Hindus to perform worship at the site.<ref name="Chatterji">{{cite book | last=Chatterji | first=Roma | title=Wording the World: Veena Das and Scenes of Inheritance | publisher=Fordham University Press | series=Forms of Living | year=2014 | isbn=978-0-8232-6187-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CJOUDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT408 | page=408 | access-date=22 January 2024 | archive-date=4 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104110659/https://books.google.com/books?id=CJOUDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT408 | url-status=live }}</ref> Further, in the 1980s, [[Hindutva|Hindu nationalist]] groups and political parties launched a campaign to construct the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir ("Rama birthplace temple") at the site.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article/what-if-rajiv-hadnt-unlocked-babri-masjid/224878 |title=What If Rajiv Hadn't Unlocked Babri Masjid? |publisher=Outlook |access-date=2012-06-20 |archive-date=27 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127100259/http://www.outlookindia.com/article/what-if-rajiv-hadnt-unlocked-babri-masjid/224878 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 6 December 1992, a Hindu nationalist mob destroyed the mosque.<ref name="BBC Ram-1">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-50065277|title=Ayodhya dispute: The complex legal history of India's holy site|date=16 October 2019 |publisher=BBC News|access-date=16 October 2019|archive-date=17 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017092145/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-50065277|url-status=live}}</ref>
A survey was conducted by [[Archaeological Survey of India|ASI]] in 2003 on the 2.77-acer disputed land as ordered by the Allahabad Highcourt. According to BR Mani who led this survey, the history of site starts from 17th century BCE, it was not a religious site at that time.There is evidence of three different temples at the site from 9th-13th century. A temple of Nagar style of North India existed at the place before the construction of the mosque.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Was a temple razed in Ayodhya? What the stones say |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ram-mandir-temple-janmabhoomi-babri-masjid-asi-excavations-babur-ayodhya-archaeological-evidence-history-2494442-2024-01-30 |work=India Today}}</ref> According to [[Ram Sharan Sharma|R. S. Sharma]], the belief of Babri Masjid site being the birthplace of Rama sprang up only after the 18th century.<ref name="Robert_2003">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hEOFAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA1 |title=Destruction and Conservation of Cultural Property |author=[[Robert Hugh Layton|Robert Layton]] and [[Julian Thomas]] |publisher=Routledge |year=2003 |isbn=9781134604982 |pages=2–9 }}</ref> Sharma states that Ayodhya emerged as a place of Hindu pilgrimage only in medieval times, since ancient texts do not mention it as a pilgrim centre. For example, chapter 85 of the Vishnu Smriti lists 52 places of pilgrimage, which do not include Ayodhya.<ref name="countercurrents.org">{{cite news| url = http://www.countercurrents.org/comm-sikand050806.htm| title = Ayodhya's Forgotten Muslim Past| first = Yoginder| last = Sikand| author-link = Yoginder Sikand| publisher = Counter Currents| date = 5 August 2006| access-date = 12 January 2008| archive-date = 21 December 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071221032934/http://www.countercurrents.org/comm-sikand050806.htm| url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="RamSharan_2003">{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hEOFAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA127 |title=Destruction and Conservation of Cultural Property |editor=[[Robert Hugh Layton|Robert Layton]] and [[Julian Thomas]] |chapter=The Ayodhya Issue |author=[[Ram Sharan Sharma]] |publisher=Routledge |year=2003 |isbn=9781134604982 |pages=127–137 }}</ref> According to historian [[Romila Thapar]], ignoring the Hindu mythological accounts, the first historic mention of the city dates back to the 7th century, when the Chinese pilgrim [[Xuanzang]] described it as a Buddhist site.<ref>{{cite book|last=Thapar|first=Romila|author-link=Romila Thapar|chapter=A Historical Perspective on the Story of Rama|editor=Thapar, Romila|title=Cultural Pasts: Essays in Early Indian History|location=New Delhi|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2000|isbn=0-19-564050-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Panikkar |first=K.N. |chapter=A Historical Overview |editor=Sarvepalli Gopal |title=Anatomy of a Confrontation: The Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhumi Issue |publisher=Penguin |date=1991 |pages=22–37 |isbn= |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/san_0972/page/25 }}</ref>{{rp|25}}
 
TheAs mosquethe dispute continued in courts, a survey was destroyedconducted by a[[Archaeological right-wingSurvey Hinduof mobIndia|ASI]] in 1992,2003 andon the site2.77-acre ofdisputed theland mosqueas beingordered by the exactAllahabad siteHigh Court. According to BR Mani, who led this survey, there was evidence that a temple of Rama's'Nagara birthplacestyle'' hasof beenNorth aIndia contentiousexisted issueat tothe dateplace whichbefore wasthe oneconstruction of the mainmosque.<ref>{{Cite issuesnews |title=Was a temple razed in Ayodhya? What the stones say |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ram-mandir-temple-janmabhoomi-babri-masjid-asi-excavations-babur-ayodhya-archaeological-evidence-history-2494442-2024-01-30 |work=India Today}}</ref> In 2019, the contentious [[Ayodhya dispute]] that was settled by the [[Supreme Court of India]], inwhich 2019gave the disputed site to Hindus for a temple, and allotted a separate land to the Muslims for a mosque.<ref Thename aftermath= ofBBC-Ram-2>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11436552 | publisher=BBC News | title=Timeline: Ayodhya holy site crisis | date=30 September 2010 | access-date=9 June 2023 | archive-date=26 December 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226123626/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11436552 | url-status=live }}</ref> After the [[2019 Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya dispute|Ayodhya verdict]], the construction of the Ram Mandir temple and the choice of the deity of Rama was supervised by [[Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra]], a trust that was set up by the [[Indian government]] in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-02-05 |title=Explained: What is the Trust set up to build Ram Temple in Ayodhya? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-the-trust-govt-has-set-up-to-build-ram-temple-in-ayodhya-6252985/ |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref>
 
==NameNaming==
The deity was originally referred to as {{transliteration|hi|ISO|Rām Lallā Virājamān}} until the construction of the Ram mandirMandir. In the ''{{transliteration|hi|ISO|Kavitāvali}}'', [[Tulsidas]] uses the word {{transliteration|hi|ISO|Rām Lallā}}.<ref>{{cite news |last=Raghuvanshi|first=Umesh |date=10 November 2019|title=Making Ram Lalla a litigant helped in Ayodhya case: Expert|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/making-ram-lalla-a-litigant-helped-win-the-case-expert/story-lHFX4pAgE3JC8QaueL9HJN.html|work= [[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref> {{transliteration|hi|ISO|Lāla}} or {{transliteration|hi|ISO|Lallā}} is an affectionate term for children in [[Braj Bhasha]], the language of Tulsidas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lalla, Lallā: 12 definitions|url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/lalla|access-date=2024-01-25 |website=Wisdom Library|date=29 August 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Psychological Perspectives on Social Issues and Human Development|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_DfPBGZxPgMC|year=2009|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|editor-last1=Tiwari |editor-first1= Ram Kumar|isbn=978-81-8069-612-1|page=63}}</ref> The trust says the deity of the newly constructed Ram Mandir shall be called {{transliteration|hi|ISO|Bālak Rām}} as the name was used by [[Tulsidas]] in the [[Ramcharitmanas|''Rāmacaritamānasa'']].<ref name=NewNameofDeity/>
 
==Attributes of the ''murti'' (idol) ==
==Description==
The ''Balak Ram'' ''[[murti]]'' ({{literal translation|idol}}) represents Rama in the form of a small child. Three Indian sculptors, namely, Ganesh Bhatt, Satyanarayan Pandey, and [[Arun Yogiraj]], were assigned the task of making the idol of the deity by the trust.<ref name= ThreeScultptorsReference>{{cite news |editor=Express News Service |date=23 January 2024|title=Ayodhya mandir's new Ram Lalla idol will now be called by this name|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2023/Dec/09/three-sculptors-at-work-to-create-ram-lala-idol-for-consecration-2640065.html|work= New Indian Express|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref> As per the trust, the characteristics of the deity were supposed to be a 5-year-old '''{{IAST|Bālaka}}''' (i.e.{{literal translation|child}}) with '''{{IAST|Mandasmita Vadana}}''' (i.e. a{{literal translation|cheerful face-faced}}) possessing both '''{{IAST|Divya}}''' (i.e.{{literal translation|divine}}) and '''{{IAST|Rājakumāra}}''' (i.e.{{literal translation|princely}}) looks.<ref name=CharacteristicsOfDeity>{{cite news |editor=Shanjay Sharma |date=25 January 2024|title= 'Ram Lalla had changed,' sculptor Arun Yogiraj thought to himself as he saw idol|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ram-lalla-idol-ram-mandir-ayodhya-arun-yogiraj-2493384-2024-01-25|work= [[India Today]]|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref> The ''murti'' sculpted by Yogiraj was chosen as the presiding deity.<ref>{{cite news |editor=Shankar B|date=16 January 2024|title=Sculptor's family in Mysuru ecstatic as idol chiseled by him chosen for Ayodhya temple|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/sculptors-family-in-mysuru-ecstatic-as-idol-chiseled-by-him-chosen-for-ayodhya-temple/article67744882.ece|work= The Hindu|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |editor=HT Newsdesk |date=2 January 2024|title=Who is Arun Yogiraj, the sculptor whose Ram Lalla idol selected for the grand temple in Ayodhya?|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/who-is-arun-yogiraj-sculptor-whose-ram-lalla-idol-selected-for-grand-temple-in-ayodhya-101704164606854.html|work= Hindustan Times|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref> The other two are to be placed within the temple as minor deities.<ref>{{cite news |editor=Livemint|date=24 January 2024|title=Ayodhya Ram Mandir: Two more Ram Lalla idols to be placed in temple complex soon.|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/ayodhya-ram-mandir-two-more-ram-lalla-idols-to-be-in-temple-complex-soon-see-pics-11706105593177.html|work= [[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]]|access-date=27 January 2024}}</ref> Yogiraj used a three billion-year-old stone that was found at Gujjegowdanapura village in [[Mysore]], [[Karnataka]] and sculpted it by adhering strictly to the guidelines of the ''[[Shilpa Shastras]]''.<ref name=CharacteristicsOfDeity/><ref name=NewNameofDeity/> The Trust informed that the black-stone is water resistant and non-reacting to the acidic nature of milk when [[Abhisheka|{{IAST|Abhiṣeka}}]] (i.e. ritualistic holy bath) is done.<ref name="ReferenceAboutBlackStone"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Dutta|first=Shrishti B. |date=22 January 2024|title=Ayodhya Temple: Why Is Rama Lalla Idol Black?|url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/ayodhya-temple-why-is-rama-lalla-idol-black-625799.html|work= India Times|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref> In the idol, the deity of Balak Ram is in the {{IAST|Sthānaka Bhangima}} (i.e. standing pose) on {{IAST|Viśvapadmāsana}} (i.e. a double row lotus seat).<ref>{{cite news |editor=Ram Narayana|date=22 January 2024|title=ఇంద్రలోకమా …!అన్నట్లుగా అయోధ్యాపురి|url=https://drukpadam.com/76023|work= Drukpadam|language=Telugu|access-date=10 July 2024}}</ref>{{efn| The deity of Vishnu in Hindu iconography can be of three different postures, namely, {{IAST|Sthānaka}} (i.e. standing), {{IAST|Āsana}} (i.e. seated) and {{IAST|Śayana}} (i.e. reclining/sleeping).}} On both sides of the main idol, Hindu Gods and symbols are carved on the {{IAST|Śilātoraṇa}} (i.e. stone arch). They are [[dasavatar|10 avatars]] of Vishnu, [[Hanuman]], [[Garuda]], [[Swastik]], [[Om]], [[Shankha|{{IAST|Śankha}}]], [[Sudarshana Chakra|{{IAST|Sudarśana cakra}}]], [[Gada (mace)|{{IAST|Kaumodaki Gada}}]], [[Nelumbo nucifera|{{IAST|Padma}}]], [[Brahma]], [[Shiva]] and [[Surya]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Sharma|first=Aman |date=20 January 2024|title=From Vishnu Avatars to the Swastik, Ram Lalla Idol Depicts All Significant Sanatan Dharma Symbols|url=https://www.news18.com/india/from-vishnu-avatars-to-the-swastik-ram-lalla-idol-depicts-all-significant-symbols-of-the-sanatan-dharma-8747285.html|work= News 18|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Gupta|first=Adarsh Kumar |date=22 January 2024|title=Ram Lalla idol depicts 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu, major Hindu symbols. Check details|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ram-lalla-idol-depicts-10-avatars-of-lord-vishnu-major-hindu-symbols-check-details-101705747636689.html|work= Hindustan Times|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceAboutBlackStone">{{cite news |last=Sharma|first=Heena |date=7 January 2024|title=Ram Lalla's standing Idol in dark stone to grace Ayodhya temple: Trust's general secy|url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ram-lallas-standing-idol-in-dark-stone-to-grace-ayodhya-temple-trusts-general-secy-677353|work= WION|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref> ItSage was[[Vedavyasa]] informedextolls byRama with the Trustepithet thatof ''{{IAST|Mahādhanuḥ}}'' ({{literal translation|the blackstoneone iswho waterwields resistanta andgreat non-reactingbow}}) toand thehis acidicbow naturewas ofsaid milkto whenbe [[Abhisheka|''{{IAST|Abhiṣekadhanuḥ śreṣṭha}}]]'' (i.e. ritualistic holy bath) is done.<ref name="ReferenceAboutBlackStone"/><ref>{{cite newsliteral translation|last=Dutta|first=Shrishtithe B.best |date=22bow}}) Januaryin 2024|title=Ayodhyathe Temple:[[Ramopakhyana]] Whyof Is Rama Lalla Idol Black?|url=https://www[[Mahabharata]].indiatimes.com/news/india/ayodhya-temple-why-is-rama-lalla-idol-black-625799.html{{efn|work=kṛtacihnaṁ Indiatu Times|access-date=16sugrīvaṁ Marchrāmo 2024}}</ref>dṛṣṭva mahādhanuḥ
vicakarṣa dhanuḥ śreṣṭhaṁ vālimuddiśya lakṣyavat (Mahabharata 3.264.35)<ref name="Ramopakhyana">{{Cite book |title=Ramopakhyana - The Story of Rama in the Mahabharata|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lfoJBAAAQBAJ|year=1998|publisher=Taylor & Francis|author=Peter Scharf|isbn=0-7007-1390-5|page=370}}</ref>}} However, in sharp contrast to other idols sculpted in South India, the Balak Ram idol doesn't have any carved weapons. Instead, a golden bow and arrow were fitted to their deity. The bow has been crafted carefully by artisans in Chennai as per the description of Rama's bow {{IAST|kodaṇḍa}} in the Ramayana.<ref>{{cite news |editor=PTI|date=12 January 2024|title=Lord Ram to be presented with 2.5 kg bow ahead of consecration ceremony in Ayodhya|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/lord-ram-to-be-presented-with-25-kg-bow-ahead-of-consecration-ceremony-in-ayodhya/article67733857.ece|work= The Hindu|access-date=11 July 2024}}</ref>
 
After consecration, the Hindus refer to the idol in the sanctum sanctorum as ''[[Moolavar|mūlavirātmūlavirāṭ mūrti]]'' or ''{{IAST|acala mūrti}}'', while any replica of it used in festivals is called as ''[[Utsava murti|utsava mūrti]]'' (lit. idol for festivals).<ref>{{Cite book |title=Srivaishnavism and social change|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1I7XAAAAMAAJ|year=1998|publisher=K.P. Bagchi & Company|author=K. Seshadri|isbn=978-81-7074-198-5|page=50}}</ref> The trust has clarified that the 9-inch high ''Ramlalla Virajman idol'' which was placed in the mosque in 1949 will be henceforth used as the ''utsava mūrti''.<ref>{{cite news |editor=Maulshree Seth|date=3 January 2024|title='Ram Lalla Virajman' that fought temple suit for decades to be placed as 'festival idol'|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/ram-lalla-virajman-that-fought-temple-suit-for-decades-to-be-placed-as-festival-idol-9092621/|work= The Indian Express|access-date=27 January 2024}}</ref>
 
==Consecration==
{{Main|Consecration of the Ram Mandir}}
[[File:Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration Day Picture.jpg|right|400px|thumb|A viewView of the Ram Mandir on theConsecration day, of consecration in JanuaryJan 2024]]
The ''[[prana pratishtha]]'' (i.e. consecration ceremony) of the deity in the ''[[garbhagriha]]'' (sanctum sanctorum) of the Ram Mandir occurred on 22 January 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Livemint|date=2024-01-20|title=Ayodhya Ram Mandir: Date, aarti timings, darshan, and other details here|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/ayodhya-ram-mandir-pran-pratishtha-date-aarti-timings-darshan-and-other-details-here-11705713816603.html|access-date=2024-01-24|website=mint|language=en}}</ref> The consecration ceremony included recitation of sacred hymns and mantras to invite the deity into the idol, which was henceforth considered as the resident deity ''Balak Ram''.<ref>{{cite web |title='Dream, Luckiest Person': Ram Lalla Sculptor Arun Yogiraj after 'Pran Pratishtha' |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/arun-yogiraj-ram-lalla-idol-sculptor-luckiest-person-earth-ram-mandir-pran-pratishtha-ayodhya-2492006-2024-01-22 |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=India Today }}</ref>
 
==Adornments==
 
Since antiquity, it has been a custom to offer and adorn Hindu deities with precious metals and valuable stones.<ref>{{cite book | author= Sir [[James Macnabb Campbell]] | date = 1885 | title =Notes on the spirit basis of belief and custom. (Rough draft)| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=_icOAAAAQAAJ | publisher = Government Central Press | page = 119}}</ref> The Balak Ram murti was adorned with {{Convert|15|kg}} of gold and no less than 18,000 precious stones such as diamonds, Zambian emeralds, and rubies.<ref>{{cite news |editor=NDTV News Desk |date=23 January 2024|title=Diamonds, Rubies: All You Need To Know About Ram Lalla Idol's Ornaments|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/diamonds-rubies-all-you-need-to-know-about-ram-lalla-idols-ornaments-4917632|work= [[NDTV]]|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref>{{efn|The trust detailed the ornaments that adorned the deity on the day of consecration, consisting of the {{IAST|[[Urdhva Pundra|Ūrdhva Puṇḍra Tilaka]]}} (i.e. a Vaishnava forehead mark), a {{IAST|Makuṭa}} (i.e. a Hindu royal crown), two {{IAST|Kunḍalas}} (i.e. earrings), a {{IAST|Kardhani}} (i.e. a gem-studded girdle), a {{IAST|Kaṇṭhamālā}} to adorn the neck, a {{IAST|[[Kaustubha]]}} necklace, a {{IAST|Padikā}} (i.e. a five stranded necklace), a {{IAST|[[Vaijayanti|Vijayamālā]]}} (i.e. a garland necklace worn by Vishnu), two {{IAST|Bhujabandhas}} (i.e. two royal armlets), two jewel-studded {{IAST|Kaṅkaṇas}} (i.e. bangles) for hands, a pair of Painjaniya (i.e. anklets), and {{IAST|Mudrikā}} (rings).<ref name=OrnamentsListReferenceIndiaToday>{{cite news |editor=Santosh Kumar Sharma |date=23 January 2024|title=15 kg of gold, 18,000 emeralds and diamonds adorn Ram Lalla's magnificent idol|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ayodhya-ram-mandir-ram-lalla-idol-jewellery-gold-diamond-emerald-pm-modi-pran-pratishtha-2492450-2024-01-23|work= [[India Today]]|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref> The deity was equipped with {{IAST|Dhanurbāṇa}} (i.e. a bow and arrow); both made of gold.<ref>{{cite news |editor=Vani Mehrotra|date=22 January 2024|title=Majestic Ram Lalla's idol adorned with diamonds, rubies, gold bow and arrow|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ram-mandir-pran-pratishtha-majestic-ram-lallas-idol-adorned-with-diamonds-rubies-gold-bow-and-arrow-2491974-2024-01-22|work= [[NDTV]]|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref>}}▼
[[File:PM at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Shree Ram Janmaboomi Temple in Ayodhya.jpg|thumb|Balak Ram adornments after pran pratishta- Jan 2024]]
▲Since antiquity, it has been a custom to offer and adorn Hindu deities with precious metals and valuable stones.<ref>{{cite book | author= Sir [[James Macnabb Campbell]] | date = 1885 | title =Notes on the spirit basis of belief and custom. (Rough draft)| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=_icOAAAAQAAJ | publisher = Government Central Press | page = 119}}</ref> The Balak Ram murti was adorned with {{Convert|15|kg}} of gold and no less than 18,000 precious stones such as diamonds, Zambian emeralds, and rubies.<ref>{{cite news |editor=NDTV News Desk |date=23 January 2024|title=Diamonds, Rubies: All You Need To Know About Ram Lalla Idol's Ornaments|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/diamonds-rubies-all-you-need-to-know-about-ram-lalla-idols-ornaments-4917632|work= [[NDTV]]|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref>{{efn|The trust detailed the ornaments that adorned the deity on the day of consecration, consisting of the {{IAST|[[Urdhva Pundra|Ūrdhva Puṇḍra Tilaka]]}} (i.e. a Vaishnava forehead mark), a {{IAST|Makuṭa}} (i.e. a Hindu royal crown), two {{IAST|Kunḍalas}} (i.e. earrings), a {{IAST|Kardhani}} (i.e. a gem-studded girdle), a {{IAST|Kaṇṭhamālā}} to adorn the neck, a {{IAST|[[Kaustubha]]}} necklace, a {{IAST|Padikā}} (i.e. a five stranded necklace), a {{IAST|[[Vaijayanti|Vijayamālā]]}} (i.e. a garland necklace worn by Vishnu), two {{IAST|Bhujabandhas}} (i.e. two royal armlets), two jewel-studded {{IAST|Kaṅkaṇas}} (i.e. bangles) for hands, a pair of Painjaniya (i.e. anklets), and {{IAST|Mudrikā}} (rings).<ref name=OrnamentsListReferenceIndiaToday>{{cite news |editor=Santosh Kumar Sharma |date=23 January 2024|title=15 kg of gold, 18,000 emeralds and diamonds adorn Ram Lalla's magnificent idol|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ayodhya-ram-mandir-ram-lalla-idol-jewellery-gold-diamond-emerald-pm-modi-pran-pratishtha-2492450-2024-01-23|work= [[India Today]]|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref> The deity was equipped with {{IAST|Dhanurbāṇa}} (i.e. a bow and arrow); both made of gold.<ref>{{cite news |editor=Vani Mehrotra|date=22 January 2024|title=Majestic Ram Lalla's idol adorned with diamonds, rubies, gold bow and arrow|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ram-mandir-pran-pratishtha-majestic-ram-lallas-idol-adorned-with-diamonds-rubies-gold-bow-and-arrow-2491974-2024-01-22|work= [[NDTV]]|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref>}} Various artisans who crafted the ornaments for the deity have referred to Hindu scriptures about Rama such as [[Valmiki Ramayana]], [[Adhyatma Ramayana]], [[Stotra Ratna|Alavandar Stotra]] and [[Ramacharitamanasa]].<ref name=OrnamentsListReferenceIndiaToday/>
 
==Service to deity==
Hindu deities are offered services to deity such as {{transliteration|hi|ISO|[[Arti (Hinduism)|Ārati]]}} and {{transliteration|hi|ISO|[[Arti (Hinduism)|Prasad]]}}.<ref>{{cite book | author= Lavanya Vemsani | date =2016 | title =Krishna in History, Thought, and Culture| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=zQPHEAAAQBAJ | publisher = Bloomsbury Publishing | isbn= 9798216108450}}</ref> From epigraphic records about Hindu temples we get to know that the services offered to deity are also referred as ''{{IAST|Aṅga Raṅgabhoga}}'' ({{literal translation|corporeal and theatrical offering}}).<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Hindu Temple Traditions of Draksharama|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E3rXAAAAMAAJ|year=2003|author=M. Srinivas Chary|isbn=978-0-77346-765-1|page=135}}</ref> Per Hindu tradition, {{IAST|Aṅgabhoga}} consists of services to the body of the deity such as {{IAST|abhiṣeka}} ({{literal translation|ritualistic holy bath}}), {{IAST|gandha}} ({{literal translation|perfume}}), {{IAST|vastra}} ({{literal translation|dressing}}), {{IAST|ābharaṇa}} ({{literal translation|adornaments}}), {{IAST|puṣpa}} ({{literal translation|flowers}}). Likewise, {{IAST|Raṅgabhoga}} include music (either vocal or instrumental) and dance performed in front of the deity. The trust has informed that there will be six {{transliteration|hi|ISO|[[Arti (Hinduism)|Āratis]]}} offered to the Balak Ram.<ref name=AartiDetails>{{cite news |editor=Livemint |date=23 January 2024|title=Ram Lalla to be called ''Balak Ram''; from aarti timings to bhog, five things to know about Ayodhya Ram Temple|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/ram-lalla-set-to-be-called-balak-ram-from-aarti-timings-to-bhog-five-things-to-know-about-ayodhya-ram-mandir-temple-11706013148851.html|work= Livemint |access-date=28 January 2024}}</ref> They are
*{{IAST|Maṅgala Ārati}} ({{lang-sa|मङ्गल आरती}}) is offered to awaken the deity in the morning
*{{IAST|Śṛṅgāra Ārati}} ({{lang-sa|शृङ्गार आरती}}) is offered after fully decorating the deity
Line 54 ⟶ 57:
*{{IAST|Sandhyā Ārati}} ({{lang-sa|सन्ध्या आरती}}) is offered performed during twilight
*{{IAST|Śayana Ārati}} ({{lang-sa|शयन आरती}}) is offered to put the deity to sleep
Every day, the deity is venerated with an {{IAST|aṣtayāma seva}} (A service for every {{transliteration|sa|ISO|yāmaḥ}}; three hours).{{efn|{{transliteration|hi|ISO|Yām}} is a unit of time used in India until the modern era. It is equal to 3 hours.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yam, Yaṃ, Yām: 15 definitions|url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/yam|access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Wisdom Library|date=23 September 2008 }}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite book | editor= Amaresh Datta | date = 1988 | title =Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=zB4n3MVozbUC| publisher = Sahitya Akademi|isbn=9788126011940 | page = 1582}}</ref> To offer {{IAST|Raṅgabhoga}} services, the temple has five [[mandapa|halls]], namely {{IAST|Raṅgamaṇḍapa}}, {{IAST|Sabhāmaṇḍapa}} ({{translation|Court hall}}), {{IAST|Nṛtyamaṇḍapa}} ({{translation|Hall of dance}}), {{IAST|Prārthanāmaṇḍapa}} ({{translation|Hall of [[Prayer in Hinduism|prayer]]}}), and {{IAST|Kīrtanāmaṇḍapa}} ({{translation|[[Kirtan]] hall}}).<ref name=Hallsreference>{{cite news |editor=ANI |date=4 January 2024|title=Built in traditional Nagara style Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir will be 161 feet tall with five Mandapas says Temple Trust|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/built-in-traditional-nagara-style-shri-ram-janmabhoomi-mandir-will-be-161-feet-tall-with-five-mandapas-says-temple-trust-101704348436796.html|work= [[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref>
 
* '''''Surya Tilak''''' ([[Sanskrit]] : सूर्य: तिलक) is an annual service to the deity on the occasion of [[Rama Navami|Ram Navami]] ( Rama‘sRama's Birthday) in which a beam of sunlight is directed onto the forehead of the idol of [[Ram Lalla|Lord Ramlalla]] at the new [[Ram Mandir]] temple. This is achieved using an apparatus with mirrors and lenses specially designed by [[Indian Institute of Astrophysics|IIA, Bengaluru.]]<ref>https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/surya-tilak-illuminates-ram-lalla-idols-forehead-at-ayodhya-temple-on-ram-navami-101713335853008-amp.html</ref><ref>https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/the-science-behind-surya-tilak-ceremony-at-ayodhyas-ram-temple-5460250</ref><ref>https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/ram-lalla-surya-tilak-ram-mandir-ram-navami-2528231-2024-04-17</ref><ref>[https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/ram-lallas-surya-tilak-completed-watch-mesmerising-images-of-sun-kissing-lord-rams-forehead-in-ayodhyas-ram-mandir/articleshow/109365994.cms]</ref><ref>https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/beam-sunlight-lord-ram-ayodhya-surya-tilak-9276021/lite/</ref>
 
==Dressing==
In Hindu temples, dressing the holy deity is considered as a form of devotional service known as {{IAST|Vastrālaṅkaraṇa Seva}} ({{literal translation|Dress decoration service}}).<ref>{{Cite book |title=Clothing as Devotion in Contemporary Hinduism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MkSxDwAAQBAJ|year=2019|publisher=Brill|author=Urmila Mohan|isbn=978-9-00441-913-1}}</ref> The deity is dressed on Sunday with pink coloured clothes, on Monday with white, on Tuesday with red, on Wednesday with green, on Thursday with yellow, on Friday with cream, and on Saturday with blue.<ref name=AartiDetails/> On the day of consecration, the deity was dressed in a yellow ''[[dhoti]]'' and a red ''[[angavastra]]''. The deity will be dressed in yellow on special occasions.<ref>{{cite news |editor=ET Online|date=23 January 2024|title=Ayodhya's Ram Lalla idol at Ram Mandir named as 'Balak Ram'; Bhog food items, aarti and attire colour schedule also announced|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/ayodhyas-ram-lalla-idol-at-ram-mandir-named-as-balak-ram-bhog-food-items-aarti-and-attire-schedule-also-announced/articleshow/107078653.cms|work= Economic Times|access-date=17 February 2024}}</ref>
 
==Temple architecture ==
Ram Mandir was built in the Maru-Gurjara school (also known as Solanki), which is a sub-style of [[Nagara style|Nagara]] architecture of Indian temples that exist in Northern, Eastern, and Western India.<ref name=ThirdlargestTempleReference/> It is still under construction and will be the third largest upon completion.<ref>{{cite news |last=Namita|first=Namita|date=5 August 2020|title=280-feet wide, 300-feet long and 161-feet tall: Ayodhya Ram temple complex to be world's third-largest Hindu shrine|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/Jul/21/280-feet-wide-300-feet-long-and-161-feet-tall-ayodhya-ram-temple-complex-to-be-worlds-third-largest--2172847.html|work=[[New Indian Express]]|access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref> The [[Angkor Wat]] in [[Cambodia]] and BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in [[New Jersey]] are the largest Hindu temples in the world. As per the modified design, it shall have three floors with five domes, and the whole complex spans around {{Convert|120|acre}}. The [[Shikhara|{{IAST|Śikhara}}]] (trans. main dome) shall be {{Convert|161|ft}} high.<ref name=Hallsreference/> The architect of the Ram Mandir is Chandrakant Sompura, whose father was Prabhakar Sompura, the [[Somnath temple]]'s architect.<ref>{{cite news |last=Abraham|first=Bobins|date=5 August 2020|title=Meet Chandrakant Sompura, The Architect Who Has Designed Ram Temple In Ayodhya|url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/meet-chandrakant-sompura-the-architect-who-has-designed-ram-temple-in-ayodhya-500157.html|work=India Times|access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref>
 
Following the traditional [[Hindu temple architecture|Nagara style]] temple architecture, the ''Balak Rama'' murti (idol) is housed in centrally located sacred ''sanctum sanctorum'' (garbha griha) of the ''Ram Mandir'' temple in Ayodhya.<ref name=IT0124/>
 
==See also==
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balak_Ram_(idol)"