1949 to Now: The Ongoing Saga of the Old Ram Idol – Insights Post Ayodhya Temple Consecration

The opening ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya marked not only the installation of a new idol but also the planned relocation of the old Ram Lalla idol that reportedly appeared inside the Babri Masjid in 1949. The ceremony, celebrated by millions of Hindus worldwide, saw a new 51-inch black stone idol being placed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.

The old Ram Lalla idol, currently housed in a makeshift tent-like structure, will also be moved into the new temple and placed on the throne opposite the new idol. Nripendra Misra, the chairman of the temple construction committee, explained that both idols—newly sculpted and the one from 1949—will share the throne in the temple’s sanctum sanctorum.

After some rituals, priests will move the old deity from its temporary structure to the temple. The new idol, carved by Mysuru-based artist Arun Yogiraj, depicts Lord Ram dressed in a yellow dhoti with a golden crown, necklaces, and holding a golden bow and arrow.

The grand ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony marked the beginning of the temple’s inauguration, attended by prominent figures across various fields. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the proceedings, urging Indians to celebrate the event as Diwali—a festival symbolizing Lord Ram’s homecoming.

The Ram Temple’s construction is ongoing, with the first phase completed on a 2.67-acre site within a 70-acre complex. The entire project is anticipated to be finished by December 2025, funded entirely by donations from within the country, estimated to cost ₹1,500 crores.