After centuries-long efforts for Ayodhya’s Ram Temple and serving as a key plaintiff in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suits, Nirmohi Akhara has constructed an impressive ‘Ram Lalla’ Temple in Khanda village, Sonipat district, Haryana.
The installation of the ‘Ram Lalla’ idol in the temple’s sanctum sanctorum was a highlight of the ‘Ram Navami’ celebrations, marked by reverberating chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’. The 416-year-old ‘math’ underwent a significant renovation to accommodate the new temple. Saints from Nirmohi Akhara, hailing from various parts of India, participated in the week-long ‘Pran Pratishtha’ rituals.
Crafted from white ‘Makrana’ marble by Jaipur-based sculptor Satyanarayan Pandey, the ‘Ram Lalla’ idol mirrors the one at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple. Surrounding the idol are twelve golden arches depicting scenes from the Ramayana, skillfully crafted by Saint Sadhvi Kamal Vaishnav of Nirmohi Akhara. Additionally, a symbol of Lord Vishnu, the ‘Vaishnav Dharma Istambh’, has been installed in the ‘math’.
As part of the ‘Pran Pratistha’ ceremony, the idol of ‘Ram Lalla’ was ritually bathed with sacred water from the River Saryu in Ayodhya. The temple’s restoration work was overseen by Dr. Raj Singh.
Leading the consecration ceremony were Sant Shri Madan Mohan of Vrindavan, who presided over Nirmohi Akhara’s ‘Kumbh Mela’, and Sant Shri Ram Sewak Das of Gwalior, a member of the Akhara’s management board.
Nirmohi Akhara, an ‘akhara’ of the Ramanandi order of the Vaishnava sect, was established in the early 18th century.