After a long, long wait, the day is finally here. After the much-celebrated consecration ceremony presided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ram mandir in Ayodhya is now open to the public.
Crowds have already gathered in large numbers and are braving the cold to get a glimpse of the new 51-inch idol of the child Ram, which will be referred to as “Balak Ram” of Ayodhya that has been placed inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple along with the old idol.
And those who do get the chance to enter the temple and offer their prayers will be treated to a view of opulence and beauty when they glance at the Ram Lalla idol. According to devotees and the temple trust, the array of magnificent jewellery and attire adorned by the deity reflects his divine status. Moreover, each piece of jewellery has a significant meaning based on extensive research.
But what’s so special about all the jewellery? We get you the details.
The crown (mukut)
The deity in the Ram mandir wears a beautiful yellow gold crown weighing roughly 1700 gm. According to the makers of the crown and the other jewellery, Harsahaimal Shiamlal Jewellers in Lucknow, the crown features 75 carats of diamonds and 135 carats (approximately) of Zambian emeralds along with 262 carats of rubies apart from other gemstones. “The mukut was made keeping in mind that it had to be worn by a child, who is only five-and-a-half years old. We took inspiration from Hindu texts and also from the TV show Ramayana”, the jeweller said in a release.
The crown also carries the symbol of the sun, denoting the lineage of Lord Ram. There’s also a string of pearls intricately woven into the right side of the crown.
The tilak
Ram Lalla’s tilak, also made in yellow gold, weighs around 16 gm. It has a single round three-carat natural diamond at the centre and is surrounded by smaller diamonds weighing roughly 10 carats. The rubies in the tilak are all natural Burmese rubies. They cover the Ajana Chakra which is located between the eyebrows and is considered to be the eye of intuition.
The many necklaces
The Ram Lalla idol wears some beautiful necklaces, all made of gold. At the neck is the kantha, a crescent-shaped necklace, studded with gems. It features floral designs, symbolising good fortune. Crafted from gold and inlaid with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, this necklace exudes divine splendour. Elegant strands of emeralds hang below, enhancing its majestic appearance.
The idol is also adorned with padika — a necklace worn below the throat and above the navel. It is a five strand necklace made of diamonds and emeralds, featuring a large, ornate pendant. There’s also the Kaustubha Mani, decorated with a large ruby and diamonds.
Of all the necklaces that the deity is wearing, there’s one which is the longest also known as the vijayamala. Worn as a symbol of victory, it depicts symbols of Vaishnava tradition — Sudarshana chakra, lotus, shankh and the mangal kalash. The necklace also carries the five sacred flowers — the kamal, kund, parijat, champa, and tulsi. The neckpiece’s extraordinary length, reaching down to his feet, symbolises boundless devotion and humility.
Kardhani or waist band
The waist band, known as the kardhani, is gem-studded and made of gold with rubies, pearls and diamonds, and emeralds, and weighs around 750 gm. In ancient scriptures, the kamar bandh is seen as a symbol of royalty and divine grace, often worn by deities and kings to signify their eminent stature, the jeweller explained.
“The use of diamonds in this sacred ornament represents unbreakable strength and eternal virtues, while rubies echo the courage and passion of Lord Ram. Emeralds, symbolising knowledge and tranquility, align with Lord Ram’s wisdom, and pearls, signifying purity and elegance, enhance the spiritual aura. The intricate patterns may be inspired by the majestic architecture of Ayodhya, reflecting the splendour and richness of Lord Ram’s kingdom,” they added.
Also see: In Images | The big moments from the Ram mandir consecration ceremony
Jewellery worn by the deity on arms
The deity also wears a pair of baju bandh or armlets, weighing around 400 grams in pure yellow gold. He also wears beautiful gem-studded bangles on both hands.
Additionally, the deity’s fingers carry rings, also known as mudrika. These are gem-laden and also feature dangling pearls.
In the deity’s left hand, there’s also a gold bow adorned with pearls, rubies and emeralds whereas in the right hand, he’s carrying a golden arrow.
The anklet
Also known as the pagh kuda, the anklet weighs around 400 gm and is inlaid with rubies and diamonds. There’s also another payal, crafted in 22-carat gold, weighing approximately half a kilo. Each piece is meticulously designed to reflect the richness and divine grace associated with Lord Ram.
The jeweller behind it all
All of the jewellery worn by the Ram Lalla idol, 14 pieces, have been handcrafted to perfection by Harsahaimal Shiamlal Jewellers (HSJ). Speaking on the occasion, the jewellers from Lucknow told News18, “We are truly honoured and blessed to have been chosen for this project. It is a privilege to be able to craft the jewellery for Shri Ram Lalla himself.”
The jewellery firm was founded in 1893 and has been in the business for over 130 years. According to a News18 report, HSJ was established with a singular vision: to redefine luxury through meticulously crafted pieces that stand as enduring symbols of beauty and sophistication.
With inputs from agencies
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1.7 kg crown, 750 gm waist band: The 14 pieces of jewellery worn by Ram Lalla in Ayodhya
