PM to inaugurate Rs 12 bn Ram Temple, architects share insights

19 Jan 2024 CW Team

Chandrakant, having designed over 200 temples globally, expressed his satisfaction that his son, Ashish, the first architect in the family with a professional degree, has led this significant project. Despite health reasons preventing Chandrakant from attending the consecration, he expressed a wish for the completed temple to be open to people of all faiths.

The Sompuras shared insights into the challenges of the project and highlighted its embrace of technology, marking a departure from traditional architectural methods. Ashish emphasised their feeling of being "chosen ones" for the task, especially given the temple's distinction as the "first in the world" to undergo 3D structural analysis for calamity resistance, including earthquakes up to 8 on the Richter scale. The Central Building Research Institute in Roorkee conducted the analysis to ensure the temple's resilience against any catastrophe.

Ashish also revealed a unique feature of the temple ? the 'surya tilak.' The roof (shikhar) will be equipped with lenses to ensure that sunlight falls precisely on the idol's forehead during Ram Navami.

Addressing the absence of the Congress leadership at the inauguration, Chandrakant referred to the Somnath temple's history, inaugurated by late President Rajendra Prasad in 1951. He emphasised the temple's openness to all faiths, citing personal examples of wearing a cap and attending a mosque, stating, "Why should we stop anyone, this is my opinion." Chandrakant recounted that even before the Babri Masjid demolition, he had designed a model of the Ram temple with three mosque domes intact, but it was not approved by the VHP.

The Ram temple, with an estimated cost of Rs 12 billion and set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has undergone rigorous testing for resistance to severe floods and earthquakes prevalent in the Himalayan region. The architects behind the design, Ahmedabad-based Chandrakant Sompura (81) and his son Ashish (51), revealed that the temple complex is engineered to withstand such calamities, ensuring a potential lifespan of up to 2,500 years. Chandrakant, having designed over 200 temples globally, expressed his satisfaction that his son, Ashish, the first architect in the family with a professional degree, has led this significant project. Despite health reasons preventing Chandrakant from attending the consecration, he expressed a wish for the completed temple to be open to people of all faiths. The Sompuras shared insights into the challenges of the project and highlighted its embrace of technology, marking a departure from traditional architectural methods. Ashish emphasised their feeling of being chosen ones for the task, especially given the temple's distinction as the first in the world to undergo 3D structural analysis for calamity resistance, including earthquakes up to 8 on the Richter scale. The Central Building Research Institute in Roorkee conducted the analysis to ensure the temple's resilience against any catastrophe. Ashish also revealed a unique feature of the temple ? the 'surya tilak.' The roof (shikhar) will be equipped with lenses to ensure that sunlight falls precisely on the idol's forehead during Ram Navami. Addressing the absence of the Congress leadership at the inauguration, Chandrakant referred to the Somnath temple's history, inaugurated by late President Rajendra Prasad in 1951. He emphasised the temple's openness to all faiths, citing personal examples of wearing a cap and attending a mosque, stating, Why should we stop anyone, this is my opinion. Chandrakant recounted that even before the Babri Masjid demolition, he had designed a model of the Ram temple with three mosque domes intact, but it was not approved by the VHP.