The Pran Pratishtha ceremony conducted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the new Ayodhya temple on Monday marked the official installation of the idol of Ram Lalla, the infant Lord Ram. This significant event was made even more special by the use of a 51-inch idol made from a unique black granite stone. The stone, which was sourced all the way from Karnataka, is estimated to be 2.5 billion years old, as confirmed by HS Venkatesh, the Director of the National Institute of Rock Mechanics (NIRM) in Bengaluru. The NIRM, being the national facility responsible for testing rocks for Indian dams and nuclear power plants, conducted physico-mechanical analysis to verify the durability and quality of the stone. Dr. Venkatesh further emphasized that this stone is highly resistant to climatic variations and will withstand the test of time in the subtropical zone of Ayodhya with minimal maintenance, ensuring that the idol remains intact for thousands of years.
The Ram Temple stands as a testament to the seamless blend of traditional architectural designs and modern science and engineering techniques. Union Science Minister Jitendra Singh highlights that the temple’s construction utilizes the highest quality stones, ensuring its durability for over a millennium. The stone used for the temple was carefully selected from the village Jayapura Hobli in Mysuru district, renowned for its exceptional granite mines. This particular rock, dating back to the pre-Cambrian era, holds a remarkable history that spans billions of years. It witnessed the birth of our planet approximately 4.5 billion years ago and has endured through countless geological transformations. As we marvel at the Ram Lalla statue sculpted from this black granite rock, we are reminded that it has witnessed more than half of Earth’s existence, from the emergence of early humans 14 million years ago to the evolution of Homo sapiens 300,000 years ago. Moreover, scientists estimate that life itself originated on Earth around 4 billion years ago, further emphasizing the profound connection between the temple and the vast timeline of our planet’s history.
According to Dr. Venkatesh, the rock’s characteristics make it suitable for various carving purposes. Additionally, the rock exhibits high density, low porosity, and water absorption, along with a high P wave velocity. Moreover, it is free from any internal cracks or fractures, making it even more desirable for carving.
