Sculptor Arun Yogiraj's Ram idol reportedly wins race to grace Ayodhya's Ram temple

The idol of 'Ram Lalla', which has been carved by renowned sculptor of Karnataka Arun Yogiraj will be kept inside the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya, said BJP stalwart and former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Monday (Jan 1). However,the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teertha Kshetra trust, which is overseeing the temple construction, is yet to make an official announcement about the same.

A voting was done by the trust on Friday to select the idol from three shortlisted designs.

The Ram temple is set to be inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22.

The idol selected will be revealed to the public on January 17 during the 'nagar yatra'.

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Sharing the news on X, Yediyurappa said, "The idol of Lord Rama sculpted by the sculptor Arun Yogiraj of Mysuru has been selected for installation in the magnificent Sri Rama Mandir of Ayodhya, which has doubled the pride and happiness of the entire Rama devotees of the state. Heartfelt congratulations to ‘Shilpi @yogiraj_arun'."

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also later shared the news of Yogiraj's idol having been selected.

Meanwhile, BJP state president and Yediyurappa's son BY Vijayendra too appreciated Yogiraj for making Mysuru and the state proud.

"It is the pride of Mysuru, the pride of Karnataka that the idol of Ram Lalla carved by the unparalleled sculpture Arun Yogiraj will be enshrined in Ayodhya on January 22," said Vijayendra.

He said that Karnataka shares a deep connection with Lord Rama as Kishkindha – which is an important place mentioned in Ramayana - is located in this state. It was Kishkindha where Lord Hanuman - Rama's ardent devotee - was born.

Yogiraj expresses happiness over selection

While speaking to PTI news agency, sculptor Yogiraj said that no official communication had been made to him regarding the selection of the Ram idol for the temple.

However, withsenior BJP leaders posting the information on X, Yogirajbelieves his work has likely been accepted.

As per Yogiraj, he was among the three sculptors who were finalised by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra for carving an idol of ‘Ram Lalla'.

"I am happy that I was among the three sculptors from the country who were selected to carve the idol of ‘Ram Lalla'," said Yogiraj.

The renowned artist who had sculpted Adi Shankaracharya's idol which was placed in Kedarnath, as well as Subhash Chandra Bose's statue which has been installed near Delhi's India Gate, said the challenge has not been easy for him.

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"The idol should be of a child, who is divine too, because it is the statue of the incarnation of God. People who look at the statue should feel the divinity," said Yogiraj.

"Keeping the divinity aspect along with the child-like face in mind, I started my work about six to seven months ago. Now I am extremely happy. More than selection, people should appreciate it. Only then, I will be happy," the sculptor added.

(With inputs from agencies)