Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust, which was set up to oversee the construction of the temple, has set a three-year deadline to complete the temple.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the foundation laying ceremony for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya on August 5. According to sources, PM Modi will remain in Ayodhya from 11 am to 1:10 pm.
The Prime Minister on Sunday finalised August 5 – as the date of stone laying ceremony for Ram Temple. Govind Giri Maharaj, member of Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust on Saturday said the Trust had suggested two dates for PM Modi’s visit.
Chaupal had said they have suggested two dates – August 3 or August 5 – as the dates to lay down the foundation of the Ram Temple.
The trustees had met at Ayodhya Saturday to decide among other things the date to start construction for the temple. “Yesterday, we had decided on two dates — 3 August and 5 August. However, we were told that the PM has prior engagement on 3 August and hence 5 August was finalised,” said a second member of the trust, who did not want to be named.
During Saturday’s meeting, the trust members also decided to make some changes to the proposed temple structure.
“The model of the temple will remain the same but keeping in mind that it is going to be one of the prominent places of worship, the trust has decided to expand the temple to accommodate all devotees. The built-up area of the temple has now been increased to 57,242 square feet from the earlier 27 lakh square feet. Besides, it was also decided to increase the height of the temple from the existing 148 feet to 161 feet,” Kameshwar Chaupal, one of the trust members told ThePrint.
Will ensure Covid safety norms are followed: Trust
Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, the president of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had on 2 July written to PM Modi, requesting him to visit Ayodhya for the temple’s foundation laying ceremony.
“Because of the Covid pandemic, we will see to it that the temple premises are not crowded on 5 August and those who are there are adhering to all protocols such as wearing masks and maintaining social distance,” the second member quoted above said.