As Ayodhya prepares for the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple next month, a set of Sun-themed pillars – ‘Surya Stambh’ – are being installed on a major road in the temple town.
Each 30-foot-tall pillar has a decorative sphere that resembles the sun when illuminated at night.
According to a senior official of the Ayodhya division of the Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department, 40 such pillars will be installed on the road – Dharam Path – which connects Lata Mangeshkar Chowk near Naya Ghat to Ayodhya Bypass.
“The work of installing these ‘Sun Pillars’ is underway before the consecration of the idol of Lord Ram in the newly constructed Ram temple. Twenty of these will be located along 10 pillars on either side of the road near Lata Mangeshkar Chowk.” Engineer AP Singh told PTI here.
When PTI visited the road on Monday night, 10 pillars were already installed, while decorative ornaments were being placed on 10 pillars on the other side of the road.
“The other 20 pillars are located on the same road near Saket petrol pump ahead of Satrangi bridge,” Singh said. Work is going on in that direction also and the target is to complete the work by December 29.”
Each column made of reinforced cement concrete has a decorative covering made of a special fiber. It has the slogan ‘Jai Shri Ram’, Lord Hanuman’s mace and other decorative motifs, the official said.
He said, “Ayodhya is the city of Lord Ram ji and Lord Hanuman.”
The PWD official said the project was conceived in October and installation began earlier this month.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach the temple city on December 30. Officials had earlier said that during his visit, Modi would inaugurate the redeveloped Ayodhya railway station and a new airport and address a rally.
He will also do a road show from the airport to the city, he said, “When the Prime Minister reaches Ayodhya by road after inaugurating the airport, he will enter through this road and these ‘Surya Stambh’ temples will welcome him in the city. ” Added.
He said the contract to install the sun-themed pillars was awarded to a private company, which had subcontracted the work to a Mumbai-based firm.
Suncity Innovations, a manufacturer and supplier of street light poles and decorative poles, executed the casting work for the sun-themed pillars at its plant in Nashik.
Sachin Nikumbh, manager of the company’s production team, told PTI that all 20 ‘Sun Pillars’ near Lata Mangeshkar Chowk were installed by Tuesday.
He said the burnish on the surface of the black-painted fiber is copper powder while the orb is made of special glass fiber that gives it a shine.
Nikumbh said that whenever the workers get tired or have to carry heavy load, they chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Jai Hanuman’.
Sonu Sharma, a worker, said, “We feel great working on this project as it is for the temple of Lord Shri Ram. We are contributing to this.” Special decorative lamp posts with Hindu religion-themed motifs have been erected on the road dividers on this stretch.
Nikumbh said, “The entire city is being decorated for the big day. Ayodhya will shine on January 22.”
Prime Minister Modi will attend the “Pran Pratishtha” or consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla statue on January 22.
