BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said, “Congress took no steps over the last few

decades for a temple in Ayodhya. They denied the existence of Lord Ram
and delayed the hearing in the Supreme Court. So, the Congress party
officially stating that it is not going to attend Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha
(consecration ceremony) should come as no surprise.”

This is nothing new for those who called Lord Ram imaginary. This is the
same Congress that once promised to rebuild the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.
In 2024, the Congress that has boycotted Lord Ram will be boycotted by the
people.”

One part of the decision is correct. It is an RSS-BJP project. Who is the Prime
Minister to preside over the consecration? It is a job better left to the
dharmacharyas. India did not stop worshipping Ram for 500 years (just
because the temple was not there in Ayodhya). We are a secular state. The
Prime Minister cannot be the chief executive and the chief priest.
The Uttar Pradesh Congress, for instance, has already announced that
about a hundred of its leaders will visit Ayodhya on the auspicious Makar
Sankranti day on January 15. They will be offering prayers too – to the
Ram Lalla “virajman”, that is the existing makeshift temple where the
Babri Masjid once stood.
Union minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the
Congress dubbing its leaders as "seasonal Hindus", after the party top
brass declined the invitation for the consecration ceremony the Ram
Temple in Ayodhya on January 22. These people are seasonal Hindus,
when they feel they have to get votes, they try to become soft Hindus. No
one in the Congress has gone to Ayodhya since Jawaharlal Nehru."
The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth
Kshetra Trust, responsible for the
temple construction, initially
estimated the cost at Rs. 1,800
crore (approximately $220
million).

This figure includes the cost of

construction, materials, machiner
y, labour, and other administrative
expenses.

Some reports suggest the final

cost could potentially reach Rs.
3,200 crore (approximately $400
million) due to potential additions
and unforeseen circumstances.
The architect behind the temple, Chandrakant Sompura, recently revealed
that he has been involved with the temple project for the last 30 years
when it was handed to him by former VHP president, late Ashok Singhal.

Sompura, part of the 15th generation of a temple-building architect family,

has designed 200 temple structures in the Nagara style, including
Akshardham and Somnath temple of Gujarat.

Planned to be the world’s third-largest Hindu shrine, its dimensions are 235
feet wide, 360 feet long, and 161 feet high. Architectural highlights include
Nagara-style mandapas and 366 columns representing deities. Overseen
by Larsen & Toubro, the complex extends beyond the main shrine, offering
a holistic experience for over 70,000 visitors.

Five Mandaps (Hall) - Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prarthna and Kirtan
Mandaps.