Lagatar24 Desk
Myagdi, Jan 29: Nepal has dispatched two Shaligram stones to Ayodhya for the construction of idols of Ram and Janaki, which is likely to be placed in the main temple complex of the under-construction Ram Mandir.
Shaligrams are found only on the banks of the Kali Gandaki River that flows through the Myagdi and Mustang districts. The stones are already on their way to Ayodhya through Janakpurto. On arrival, idols of Lord Ram and Sita will be built by Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra.
Meanwhile, Bimalendra Nidhi, Nepali Congress leader and former deputy prime minister is coordinating with the Janaki temple which is sending the two stones from the Kali Gandaki River.
“Stones found in the Kaligandki River are well known and very precious in the world. It is widely accepted that these stones are symbols of Lord Vishnu. Lord Ram is the incarnation of Bhagwan Vishnu which is why the stone from Kali Gandaki River, if available, would be very good to make Ram Lala’s murti (Idol) in Ayodhya for Ram Janma Bhumi Temple. It was requested by Champat Rai- the General Secretary of the Trust (Ram Janma Bhoomi Teertha Kshetra) and I was very much active and interested in this, ” said the former deputy prime minister.
He also said that they have finalised two stones, weighing 18 tons and 16 tons that have been both technically and scientifically approved for the making of the idol.
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The two shilas are likely to reach Ayodhya on February 1. The convoys of stones will travel through Pipraun Girjasthan of Madhubani, Bihar and will also make night stops at two places, Muzaffarpur and Gorakhpur before reaching Ayodhya, said Nidhi.
Moreover, the Janaki temple would later send a bow to the Ram temple in Ayodhya as per the request of the Ram Temple Trust. Ayodhya and Janakpur are places of historical importance and the use of Nepali stones for sculpting Ram and Sita idols and the bow from Nepal would reflect the deep religious and cultural ties between the two countries.
The Sher Bahadur Deuba government had approved the handover of the stones to Ayodhya. As per legend, Sita, also known as Janaki, was the daughter of King Janak of Nepal.
Every year, Janakpur not only celebrates the birth of Lord Ram but also the wedding anniversary of Ram and Sita.
Nidhi has been coordinating with the Indian authorities and the Ram Temple Trust in Ayodhya for over two years to take this initiative forward.
