The pinnacle of the pran pratishtha programme was the extraordinary jewellery adorned by the idol of Ram Lalla. Devotees marvelled at the craftsmanship of 132 artisans who devoted countless hours to create stunning jewellery for the revered idol.
The distinctive collection comprised 14 pieces, including a mukut (crown), tilak (auspicious vermillion spot applied on the forehead), emerald ring, ruby ring, a short round necklace, a panchlada (five-layered necklace), vijay mala, kamar and baju bandh (waist and arm belt), kangan (bangle), pag kada (ankle band), gold payal (anklet), in addition to dhanush and baan (bow and arrow) to embellish the idol. Adorned with 18,567 diamonds, 2,984 rubies, 615 emeralds, and 439 uncut diamonds, all ethically sourced and certified by the International Gemmological Institute (IGI with headquarter at Antwerp, Belgium), this regal ensemble underscores its commitment to quality.
The gold mukut, weighing approximately 1.7 kg, is embellished with an array of exquisite ornamental items, including 75 carats of diamonds, 135 carats of Zambian emeralds, and 262 carats of rubies. The meticulous design of each piece stems from extensive research and study, with Ankur Anand, CEO of Harsahaimal Shiamlal Jewellers of Lucknow, entrusted with the design and manufacturing. Inspired by ancient Hindu sacred texts and the revered Ramanand Sagar’s TV show ‘Ramayan,’ the Lucknow-based gemmologists infused profound meaning into each creation. The internationally acclaimed prestigious jewellers rose to the occasion and did a commendable job of their elusive assignment.
Anand elucidated, “The mukut is the most resplendent adornment of Ram Lalla, symbolising the Suryavanshi lineage with the sun at its center, the peacock denoting royalty, the emerald signifying wisdom, and rubies representing the sun god, Surya. Natural diamonds symbolize purity and honesty.”
The tilak, viewed as a protective emblem, features a dazzling three-carat diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds and Burmese rubies. Anand emphasized the careful design to ensure the first rays of the morning sun fall on the tilak, as directed by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. With a 130-year-old legacy of designing special ornaments for deities in various temples, the craftsmanship of Ram Lalla’s jewellery has received widespread acclaim.
Tehmasp Printer, CEO of the International Gemmological Institute (IGI), commended the craftsmanship and quality, noting the use of the highest-grade gemstones, ethically sourced and certified by IGI.
“All that glitters is not gold” is a popular adage. However, in the case of Ayodhya Ram temple, the adage is proven wrong as all that glitters on the majestic idol of Ram Lalla is made of gold.
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