The idol of Shri Ram Lalla arrived in Ayodhya late on Wednesday night, January 17, and was positioned inside the sanctum sanctorum early on Thursday morning. Before the idol was hauled inside with the aid of a crane, a special pooja was conducted inside the sanctum sanctorum.
A cloth is used to cover the idol. Arun Yogiraj, a sculptor from Mysuru, created the idol of Shri Ram Lalla out of black stone, and it weighs between 150 and 200 kg.
Arun Yogiraj, a resident of Mysore, carved the Ram Lalla idol out of black Karnataka stone known as “Krishna Shila.” It is said that a five-year-old child named Bal Swaroop represents Lord Ram.
Krishna Shila is located around 60 km from Mangalore, close to the small Karnataka town of Karkala. One of the best stones to use for sculpture is Krishna Shila, which the officials claim produces the most beautiful and long-lasting sculptures.
The idol travelled to the Ram Mandir in a procession that stopped briefly at the Ayodhya temple of Hanumangarhi. As part of the second day of the week-long ceremonies building up to the Pran Pratishtha on January 22, the idol will be placed inside the sanctum sanctorum today, January 18.
According to reports, on Wednesday night, a silver statue of Shri Ram Lalla, adorned with marigolds and roses, made its way around the Ram Mandir premises. Additionally, a kalash puja was done.
For the main consecration ceremony, two additional idols were also sculpted, and they will now be positioned in different parts of the temple.