As the eagerly awaited inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya approaches on January 22, a colossal 400 kg lock, recognized as the world’s largest, commenced its journey from Aligarh to Ayodhya on Friday.
Following customary rituals, Mahamandaleshwar Annapurna Bharti Puri, a resident of Norangabad, Aligarh, set out for Ayodhya with the substantial lock. A crane was enlisted to carefully place the 400 kg lock into a vehicle, drawing a crowd of onlookers who enthusiastically chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram.’
Crafted two years ago by the late Satya Prakash Sharma and his wife Rukmini Sharma, residents of Norangabad, Aligarh, the lock carries a special significance. Satya Prakash Sharma, who recently passed away, expressed a wish for the lock to be gifted to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir.
Mahamandaleshwar Annapurna Bharti Puri shared the story behind the creation of the world’s largest lock, emphasizing the considerable effort invested in its completion. “Satya Prakash Sharma died before completing the lock, but we got it completed by working day and night.”
Highlighting the potential global recognition for Aligarh’s lock industry, Mahamandaleshwar Annapurna Bharti Puri stated, “The honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls Aligarh Talanagari (the city of locks). The purpose of presenting the world’s largest lock at the feet of Lord Ram is to represent Aligarh on an international platform.” She believes that visitors to Ayodhya from across the country and the world will appreciate the massive lock, boosting the lock manufacturing industry in Aligarh and providing an economic stimulus to the city.
Taking a swipe at the opposition, Hindu Mahasabha National Spokesperson Ashok Pandey remarked, “The lock aims at shutting the mouths of opposition leaders who were shouting whether Ram Mandir will be built or not or whether it is an empty election agenda, when will it be built, and how will it be built.”
