The Gossip

The sculptor, who dedicated months to carving, was astounded by the metamorphosis of the Ram Lalla idol following the ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony. This tale of transformation would surely astonish even the most skilled practitioners of magical realism.

Arun Yogiraj, the sculptor of the Ram Lalla idol, witnessed a remarkable transformation after dedicating seven months of his life to meticulously chiselling and carving the ‘shyam shila’. He expressed his astonishment at the change that took place.

During the process of creation, the idol appeared distinct, but it underwent a significant alteration after the ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony. Arun Yogiraj felt that it was no longer his creation; it had taken on a completely different appearance. He believed that the divine had assumed a unique form.

Yogiraj expressed that Ram Lalla appeared entirely different, giving the impression that it was not his own creation. Lord Ram had undergone a complete transformation, as stated in the exclusive interview.

During the ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi served as the chief ‘jajman’. He meticulously followed the strict rituals for a duration of 11 days. Not only did he sleep on the floor and sustain himself solely on coconut water, but he also visited numerous temples.

The presence of something magical in the atmosphere was not only felt by those present at the event. The guests who attended the ceremony on January 22 were visibly moved. The enchantment transcended the television screens, and even households across the nation could sense the divine presence as conches were blown.

Subsequently, the cameras zoomed in, allowing the nation to catch a glimpse of Ram Lalla’s countenance. The eyes of Ram Lalla captivated everyone, as did his smile. Millions of people were left astonished and breathless.

The idol’s beauty was indescribable! Captivating! Heavenly!

The awe-inspiring sight wasn’t limited to the millions of people who witnessed the idol from afar. Even the sculptor himself was spellbound by the idol’s transformation.

Yogiraj, while discussing the enchanting smile of Ram Lalla, emphasized the limited opportunities one has when working with stone.

Arun Yogiraj firmly believes that a divine force was at play during the creation process.

“Bringing emotion to a stone is no easy task, and it requires a significant amount of time and dedication. I made the decision to spend ample time with the stone, conducting thorough research on children’s features, and everything else unfolded because of Ram Lalla,” explained the sculptor from Mysuru.

As a fifth-generation sculptor, Yogiraj attributes everything to Lord Ram.

During the festivities of Diwali in Ayodhya, I had the fortunate opportunity to witness the joyous celebration of young children. It was during this moment that a vivid image formed in my mind, and I couldn’t help but attribute it all to Lord Ram,” expressed Yogiraj.

However, this captivating tale does not conclude here.

Hailing from a lineage of skilled sculptors, Arun Yogiraj chose a different path and pursued a career as a management executive after completing his MBA degree.

Following his tenure as an MBA executive, he heeded his “inherent calling” and joined his family’s vocation in 2008.

Had he not heeded the calling, the sculptor responsible for crafting the Ram Lalla idol would have remained confined to a cubicle, endlessly typing away at a keyboard.

Arun Yogiraj was destined for something greater. It was his destiny to carve the Ram Lalla idol.

This sentiment is acknowledged by the fifth-generation sculptor from Karnataka.

“In mere lalla ne mujhe aadesh diya, maine follow kiya (Lord Ram gave me the order, and I simply followed it),” expressed Arun Yogiraj during an exclusive interview following the ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony.

Truly, it is a tale of remarkable transformation.