Balak Ram (idol)

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Bālak Ram
An image of an idol resembling a 5-year-old child Rama, wearing a crown, dressed as a prince, and adorned with ornaments. The idol is sculpted from a black granite stone known locally as Krishna Sila and is 51 inches tall. The deity holds a bow and an arrow as weapons.
The central image of the deity at the Ram Mandir located at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya
Other namesRam Lalla Virajman
Devanagariबालकराम
Sanskrit transliterationBālakarāma
AffiliationForm of Vishnu/Rama
AbodeAyodhya
WeaponBow and arrow[a]

Balak Ram[3] (Sanskrit: बालकराम, lit. 'child Rama', IAST: Bālakarāma) is the primary murti (idol) of the Ram Mandir, a Hindu temple built in Nagara style[4] at the presumed location of Ram Janmabhoomi, the mythical birthplace of the Hindu deity Rama, at Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India, [5] to commemorate the birth of Rama. The location is loaded, and the building of the mandir is controversial due to the demolition of a mosque formerly located at the place, and is an important subject of political debate in India.[6]

Rama is one of the principal deities of Hinduism and is traditionally considered by Hindus as the seventh avatar, or incarnation, of Vishnu. The form of the murti is that of the Hindu deity Rama as a child, the presiding deity of the temple. Before the temple's inauguration, the deity was referred to by the previous name of Rām Lallā Virājamān.

On April 17, 2024, the first Ram Navami (Ram's birth festival) after the consecration of Ayodhya's Ram Temple with Balak Ram murti was celebrated by thousands of devotees across India.[7] On this occasion, the forehead of the Ram Lalla idol was anointed with a ray of sunlight, known as Surya Tilak.[8]

History[edit]

According to the Ramayana, Rama was born in Ayodhya.[9][10] The Masjid-i-Janmasthan (mosque of birthplace) was built by Babur at the site, alledgedly destroying a Hindu temple commemorating Ram's birthplace.[11] Historical accounts by some European travellers who visited Ayodhya during the early modern period report that the Hindus believed the mosque and its immediate surroundings to be the exact birthplace of Rama.[12][13][14]

A survey was conducted by ASI in 2003 on the 2.77-acer disputed land as ordered by the Allahabad Highcourt. According to BR Mani who led this survey, the history of site starts from 17th century BCE, it was not a religious site at that time.There is evidence of three different temples at the site from 9th-13th century. A temple of Nagar style of North India existed at the place before the construction of the mosque.[15] According to R. S. Sharma, the belief of Babri Masjid site being the birthplace of Rama sprang up only after the 18th century.[16] Sharma states that Ayodhya emerged as a place of Hindu pilgrimage only in medieval times, since ancient texts do not mention it as a pilgrim centre. For example, chapter 85 of the Vishnu Smriti lists 52 places of pilgrimage, which do not include Ayodhya.[17][18] According to historian Romila Thapar, ignoring the Hindu mythological accounts, the first historic mention of the city dates back to the 7th century, when the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang described it as a Buddhist site.[19][20]: 25 

The mosque was destroyed by a right-wing Hindu mob in 1992, and the site of the mosque being the exact site of Rama's birthplace has been a contentious issue to date which was one of the main issues in the Ayodhya dispute that was settled by the Supreme Court of India in 2019. The aftermath of the Ayodhya verdict, the construction of the Ram Mandir temple and the choice of the deity of Rama was supervised by Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, a trust that was set up by the Indian government in 2020.[21]

Name[edit]

The deity was originally referred to as Rām Lallā Virājamān until the construction of the Ram mandir. In the Kavitāvali, Tulsidas uses the word Rām Lallā.[22] Lāla or Lallā is an affectionate term for children in Braj Bhasha, the language of Tulsidas.[23][24] The trust says the deity of the newly constructed Ram Mandir shall be called Bālak Rām as the name was used by Tulsidas in the Rāmacaritamānasa.[3]

Description[edit]

The murti (idol) represents Rama in the form of a small child. Three Indian sculptors, namely, Ganesh Bhatt, Satyanarayan Pandey, and Arun Yogiraj, were assigned the task of making the idol of the deity by the trust.[25] As per the trust, the characteristics of the deity were supposed to be a 5-year-old Bālaka (i.e. child) with Mandasmita Vadana (i.e. a cheerful face) possessing both Divya (i.e. divine) and Rājakumāra (i.e. princely) looks.[26] The murti sculpted by Yogiraj was chosen as the presiding deity.[27][28] The other two are to be placed within the temple as minor deities.[29] On both sides of the main idol, Hindu Gods and symbols are carved on the Śilātoraṇa (i.e. stone arch). They are 10 avatars of Vishnu, Hanuman, Garuda, Swastik, Om, Śankha, Sudarśana cakra, Kaumodaki Gada, Padma, Brahma, Shiva and Surya.[30][31][32] It was informed by the Trust that the blackstone is water resistant and non-reacting to the acidic nature of milk when Abhiṣeka (i.e. ritualistic holy bath) is done.[32][33]

After consecration, the Hindus refer to the idol in the sanctum sanctorum as mūlavirāt mūrti or acala mūrti, while any replica of it used in festivals is called as utsava mūrti (lit. idol for festivals).[34] The trust has clarified that the 9-inch high Ramlalla Virajman idol which was placed in the mosque in 1949 will be henceforth used as the utsava mūrti.[35]

Consecration[edit]

Main article: Consecration of the Ram Mandir
A view of the Ram Mandir on the day of consecration in January 2024

The prana pratishtha (i.e. consecration ceremony) of the deity in the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) of the Ram Mandir occurred on 22 January 2024.[36]

Adornments[edit]

Since antiquity, it has been a custom to offer and adorn Hindu deities with precious metals and valuable stones.[37] The Balak Ram murti was adorned with 15 kilograms (33 lb) of gold and no less than 18,000 precious stones such as diamonds, Zambian emeralds, and rubies.[38][b]

Service to deity[edit]

Hindu deities are offered services to deity such as Ārati and Prasad.[41] The trust has informed that there will be six Āratis offered to the Balak Ram.[42] They are

  • Maṅgala Ārati (Sanskrit: मङ्गल आरती) is offered to awaken the deity in the morning
  • Śṛṅgāra Ārati (Sanskrit: शृङ्गार आरती) is offered after fully decorating the deity
  • Rājabhoga Ārati (Sanskrit: राजभोग आरती) is offered as mid-day royal meals and prepared for a siesta
  • Utthāpan Ārati (Sanskrit: उत्थापन आरती) is offered to awaken deity from siesta
  • Sandhyā Ārati (Sanskrit: सन्ध्या आरती) is offered performed during twilight
  • Śayana Ārati (Sanskrit: शयन आरती) is offered to put the deity to sleep

Every day, the deity is venerated with an aṣtayāma seva (A service for every yāmaḥ; three hours).[c][44] To offer services, the temple has five halls, namely Raṅgamaṇḍapa, Sabhāmaṇḍapa (transl. Court hall), Nṛtyamaṇḍapa (transl. Hall of dance), Prārthanāmaṇḍapa (transl. Hall of prayer), and Kīrtanāmaṇḍapa (transl. Kirtan hall).[45]

Dressing[edit]

In Hindu temples, dressing the holy deity is considered as a form of devotional service known as Vastrālaṅkaraṇa Seva (lit. 'Dress decoration service').[51] The deity is dressed on Sunday with pink coloured clothes, on Monday with white, on Tuesday with red, on Wednesday with green, on Thursday with yellow, on Friday with cream, and on Saturday with blue.[42] On the day of consecration, the deity was dressed in a yellow dhoti and a red angavastra. The deity will be dressed in yellow on special occasions.[52]

Temple[edit]

Ram Mandir was built in the Maru-Gurjara school (also known as Solanki) which is a sub-style of Nagara architecture of Indian temples that exist in Northern, Eastern, and Western India.[5] It is still under construction and will be the third largest upon completion.[53] The Angkor Wat in Cambodia and BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Jersey are the largest Hindu temples in the world. As per the modified design, it shall have three floors with five domes, and the whole complex spans around 120 acres (49 ha). The Śikhara (trans. main dome) shall be 161 feet (49 m) high.[45] The architect of the Ram Mandir is Chandrakant Sompura, whose father was Prabhakar Sompura, the Somnath temple's architect.[54]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ The name of Rama's bow is Kodanḍa and his arrow is the Rāmabāṇa that is supposed to be infallible upon release.[1][2]
  2. ^ The trust detailed the ornaments that adorned the deity on the day of consecration, consisting of the Ūrdhva Puṇḍra Tilaka (i.e. a Vaishnava forehead mark), a Makuṭa (i.e. a Hindu royal crown), two Kunḍalas (i.e. earrings), a Kardhani (i.e. a gem-studded girdle), a Kaṇṭhamālā to adorn the neck, a Kaustubha necklace, a Padikā (i.e. a five stranded necklace), a Vijayamālā (i.e. a garland necklace worn by Vishnu), two Bhujabandhas (i.e. two royal armlets), two jewel-studded Kaṅkaṇas (i.e. bangles) for hands, a pair of Painjaniya (i.e. anklets), and Mudrikā (rings).[39] The deity was equipped with Dhanurbāṇa (i.e. a bow and arrow); both made of gold.[40]
  3. ^ Yām is a unit of time used in India until the modern era. It is equal to 3 hours.[43]

References[edit]

  1. ^ M.K.V. Narayan (2007). Flipside of Hindu Symbolism. Fultus Corporation. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-59682-117-0.
  2. ^ "Ramabana, Rāmabāṇa: 7 definitions". Wisdom Library. 12 May 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b HT Newsdesk, ed. (23 January 2024). "Ayodhya mandir's new Ram Lalla idol will now be called by this name". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Why is Ayodhya Ram Mandir built in Nagara style of architecture". Times of India. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  5. ^ a b Wattas, Rajnish (23 January 2024). "Ram Mandir and Hindu temple architecture". Tribune India. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  6. ^ Controversial:
  7. ^ "Ayodhya Temple On Ram Navami, 'Surya Tilak' shines on Ram Lalla". Indian Express. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  8. ^ "The Science Behind 'Surya Tilak' Ceremony At Ayodhya's Ram Temple". NDTV. 17 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  9. ^ The Ramayana of Valmiki. Translated by Shastri, Hari Prasad. London: Shanti Sadan. 1952. p. 42.
  10. ^ "Hindus' faith in Lord Ram's birthplace based on 'Valmiki Ramayana', 'Skanda Purana': SC". Business Standard. 10 September 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  11. ^ Gilly, Thomas Albert; Sergevnin, Vladimir, eds. (2009). The Ethics of Terrorism. Charles C. Thomas. p. 25. ISBN 978-0-398-07867-6.
  12. ^ Jain, Meenakshi (2013). Rama and Ayodhya. New Delhi: Aryan Books. p. 120-121. ISBN 978-81-7305-451-8.
  13. ^ Kunal, Kishore (2016). Ayodhya Revisited. Prabhat Prakashan. p. xv. ISBN 978-81-8430-357-5.
  14. ^ Layton, Robert; Julian, Thomas (2003). Destruction and Conservation of Cultural Property. Routledge. p. 8. ISBN 978-1-134-60498-2.
  15. ^ "Was a temple razed in Ayodhya? What the stones say". India Today.
  16. ^ Robert Layton and Julian Thomas (2003). Destruction and Conservation of Cultural Property. Routledge. pp. 2–9. ISBN 9781134604982.
  17. ^ Sikand, Yoginder (5 August 2006). "Ayodhya's Forgotten Muslim Past". Counter Currents. Archived from the original on 21 December 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  18. ^ Ram Sharan Sharma (2003). "The Ayodhya Issue". In Robert Layton and Julian Thomas (ed.). Destruction and Conservation of Cultural Property. Routledge. pp. 127–137. ISBN 9781134604982.
  19. ^ Thapar, Romila (2000). "A Historical Perspective on the Story of Rama". In Thapar, Romila (ed.). Cultural Pasts: Essays in Early Indian History. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-564050-0.
  20. ^ Panikkar, K.N. (1991). "A Historical Overview". In Sarvepalli Gopal (ed.). Anatomy of a Confrontation: The Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhumi Issue. Penguin. pp. 22–37.
  21. ^ "Explained: What is the Trust set up to build Ram Temple in Ayodhya?". The Indian Express. 5 February 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  22. ^ Raghuvanshi, Umesh (10 November 2019). "Making Ram Lalla a litigant helped in Ayodhya case: Expert". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  23. ^ "Lalla, Lallā: 12 definitions". Wisdom Library. 29 August 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  24. ^ Tiwari, Ram Kumar, ed. (2009). Psychological Perspectives on Social Issues and Human Development. Concept Publishing Company. p. 63. ISBN 978-81-8069-612-1.
  25. ^ Express News Service, ed. (23 January 2024). "Ayodhya mandir's new Ram Lalla idol will now be called by this name". New Indian Express. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  26. ^ Shanjay Sharma, ed. (25 January 2024). "'Ram Lalla had changed,' sculptor Arun Yogiraj thought to himself as he saw idol". India Today. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  27. ^ Shankar B, ed. (16 January 2024). "Sculptor's family in Mysuru ecstatic as idol chiseled by him chosen for Ayodhya temple". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  28. ^ HT Newsdesk, ed. (2 January 2024). "Who is Arun Yogiraj, sculptor whose Ram Lalla idol selected for grand temple in Ayodhya?". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  29. ^ Livemint, ed. (24 January 2024). "Ayodhya Ram Mandir: Two more Ram Lalla idols to be placed in temple complex soon". Mint. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  30. ^ Sharma, Aman (20 January 2024). "From Vishnu Avatars to the Swastik, Ram Lalla Idol Depicts All Significant Sanatan Dharma Symbols". News 18. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  31. ^ Gupta, Adarsh Kumar (22 January 2024). "Ram Lalla idol depicts 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu, major Hindu symbols. Check details". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  32. ^ a b Sharma, Heena (7 January 2024). "Ram Lalla's standing Idol in dark stone to grace Ayodhya temple: Trust's general secy". WION. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  33. ^ Dutta, Shrishti B. (22 January 2024). "Ayodhya Temple: Why Is Rama Lalla Idol Black?". India Times. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  34. ^ K. Seshadri (1998). Srivaishnavism and social change. K.P. Bagchi & Company. p. 50. ISBN 978-81-7074-198-5.
  35. ^ Maulshree Seth, ed. (3 January 2024). "'Ram Lalla Virajman' that fought temple suit for decades to be placed as 'festival idol'". The Indian Express. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  36. ^ Livemint (20 January 2024). "Ayodhya Ram Mandir: Date, aarti timings, darshan, and other details here". mint. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  37. ^ Sir James Macnabb Campbell (1885). Notes on the spirit basis of belief and custom. (Rough draft). Government Central Press. p. 119.
  38. ^ NDTV News Desk, ed. (23 January 2024). "Diamonds, Rubies: All You Need To Know About Ram Lalla Idol's Ornaments". NDTV. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  39. ^ Santosh Kumar Sharma, ed. (23 January 2024). "15 kg of gold, 18,000 emeralds and diamonds adorn Ram Lalla's magnificent idol". India Today. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  40. ^ Vani Mehrotra, ed. (22 January 2024). "Majestic Ram Lalla's idol adorned with diamonds, rubies, gold bow and arrow". NDTV. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  41. ^ Lavanya Vemsani (2016). Krishna in History, Thought, and Culture. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 9798216108450.
  42. ^ a b Livemint, ed. (23 January 2024). "Ram Lalla to be called Balak Ram'; from aarti timings to bhog, five things to know about Ayodhya Ram Temple". Livemint. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  43. ^ "Yam, Yaṃ, Yām: 15 definitions". Wisdom Library. 23 September 2008. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  44. ^ Amaresh Datta, ed. (1988). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature. Sahitya Akademi. p. 1582. ISBN 9788126011940.
  45. ^ a b ANI, ed. (4 January 2024). "Built in traditional Nagara style Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir will be 161 feet tall with five Mandapas says Temple Trust". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  46. ^ https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/surya-tilak-illuminates-ram-lalla-idols-forehead-at-ayodhya-temple-on-ram-navami-101713335853008-amp.html
  47. ^ https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/the-science-behind-surya-tilak-ceremony-at-ayodhyas-ram-temple-5460250
  48. ^ https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/ram-lalla-surya-tilak-ram-mandir-ram-navami-2528231-2024-04-17
  49. ^ [1]
  50. ^ https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/beam-sunlight-lord-ram-ayodhya-surya-tilak-9276021/lite/
  51. ^ Urmila Mohan (2019). Clothing as Devotion in Contemporary Hinduism. Brill. ISBN 978-9-00441-913-1.
  52. ^ ET Online, ed. (23 January 2024). "Ayodhya's Ram Lalla idol at Ram Mandir named as 'Balak Ram'; Bhog food items, aarti and attire colour schedule also announced". Economic Times. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  53. ^ Namita, Namita (5 August 2020). "280-feet wide, 300-feet long and 161-feet tall: Ayodhya Ram temple complex to be world's third-largest Hindu shrine". New Indian Express. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  54. ^ Abraham, Bobins (5 August 2020). "Meet Chandrakant Sompura, The Architect Who Has Designed Ram Temple In Ayodhya". India Times. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
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