Inside the Grand Construction of Ayodhya Ram Mandir: A 5-Year, 4,000-Worker Engineering Marvel
The Ram Temple in Ayodhya stands today as one of India’s most iconic architectural achievements — built without a single piece of iron or steel, designed to endure natural calamities and survive for the next 1,000 years, according to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
A Massive Workforce Behind a Timeless Structure
More than 4,000 workers and artisans worked day and night over a period of five years to bring the Ram Mandir to life. The project was guided by some of India’s top institutes:
- CBRI Roorkee
- IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Mumbai & IIT Guwahati
- Indian Institute of Astrophysics
On November 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the flag-hoisting ceremony, marking the symbolic completion of the main temple structure.
According to Nripendra Mishra, chairman of the construction committee, the temple construction is complete, landscaping is underway, and the boundary wall and auditorium will be ready by 2026.
Out of the ₹3,000 crore collected as donations initially, around ₹1,800 crore has been spent on construction.
A Look Inside the Temple Complex
Grand Dimensions
The three-storey temple rises to:
- 161 feet in height
- 235 feet in width
- 360 feet in length
It is carved entirely from Bansi Paharpur sandstone of Rajasthan, chosen for strength, longevity, and its ability to withstand weathering.
There is no iron or steel in the temple structure — a deliberate choice to prevent decay over centuries.
Use of Titanium for Protective Jalis
The monkey- and bird-proof jalis installed around the temple are made from 12.5 tonnes of titanium, sourced from Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd., Hyderabad.
A total of 31 titanium jalis have been installed.
Intricate Craftsmanship
Ground Floor
- Contains 160 intricately carved pillars
- Houses the Garbha Grah, where the idol of Ram Lalla (crafted from Mysore’s Krishna Shila granite) was installed after the January 2024 consecration
- Features 14 gold-plated doors
First Floor
- Dedicated to Ram Darbar
- Idols of Ram, Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman sculpted in pure Makrana marble
- Has 132 carved pillars
Architectural Style
The temple follows the 5th-century Nagara-style architecture with five main mandaps:
- Nritya Mandap
- Rang Mandap
- Gudh Mandap
- Kirtan Mandap
- Prarthana Mandap
Parkota and Surrounding Temples
The outer wall, or Parkota, is a massive two-storeyed structure:
- 750 metres long
- 14 feet thick
The ground floor includes six temples dedicated to Surya, Shiva, Bhagwati, Ganesh, Hanuman, and Mata Annapurna. The top floor functions as a spacious Parikrama Path for devotees.
Additionally, the complex features the Sapta Rishi Mandir dedicated to:
- Maharishi Vashishtha
- Vishwamitra
- Valmiki
- Agastya
- Nishad Raj
- Mata Ahalya
- Mata Shabari
Engineering Challenges
Choosing the Right Materials
Experts conducted extensive scientific studies when construction began in 2020. Dozens of computer simulations helped finalize a model capable of surviving 1,000 years.
Bansi Paharpur sandstone was selected for:
- durability
- carving suitability
- its long-term resistance to environmental damage
Deep Foundation for Maximum Stability
The foundation goes 14 meters deep, filled with:
- 1.32 lakh cubic meters of roller-compacted concrete
Above it:
- A 1.5-meter high-strength raft
- A 6.5-meter granite plinth built from 24,000 granite blocks
This multi-layer system protects the temple from moisture and potential flooding, especially since excavations revealed traces of the Saryu river beneath the soil.
What Remains to Be Completed?
The main 2.7-acre temple is complete, but the entire premises span 70 acres, including:
- 20 acres of construction area
- 50 acres of open space
- 30 acres of green cover
Pending Work
- Landscaping, including a Panchvati forest for birds and animals
- A 4-km long boundary wall (being executed by UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam)
- A modern auditorium
The GMR Group has taken a five-year contract (free of cost) for the landscaping under CSR initiatives.
A Timeless Monument
The Ram Mandir stands today as a fusion of ancient architecture and modern engineering. Created to last a millennium, built by thousands of skilled hands, and supported by cutting-edge research, the temple represents India’s cultural heritage on a global platform.
