Ayodhya: Chairman of the Ram Mandir Construction Committee Nripendra Mishra said on Monday that the water leakage reported at the Ram Mandir was “expected because the Guru Mandap is exposed to the sky.”
“I am in Ayodhya. I saw the rainwater dropping from the first floor. This is expected because Guru Mandap is exposed to the sky as the second floor and completion of Shikhar will cover this opening. I also saw some seepage from the conduit as this work on the first floor is in progress. On completion, the conduit will be closed,” said Nripendra Mishra while talking to the news agency ANI.
Nripendra Mishra clarified that there are no design or construction issues with the temple, and while the open Mandaps may receive rainwater drops—a point of debate—the decision was made to keep them open in accordance with Nagar architectural standards. “The Sanctum Sanctorum lacks drainage as all the Mandaps are designed with a measured slope to clear water, and any water in the Sanctum Sanctorum is manually mopped up. Additionally, the devotees do not perform Abhishek on the deity,” he further stated.
Acharya Satyendra Das, the chief priest of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, has called for an immediate solution to prevent any disruptions to darshan and puja activities during the monsoon season.
“On the first set of rainfall itself, the insides of the temple were filled with water. Should have taken care during construction if something is missing that now water is coming inside. It is very important. One thing is there is no way to drain water and on the other side water keeps leaking from the top. A solution has to be found very soon or when the monsoon starts the pujas and darshan will be affected,” said Acharya Satyendra Das while talking to ANI.
The Pran Pratishtha ceremony for Lord Ram at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya took place on January 22, officiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Ram Mandir Trust states that the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir has been built in the traditional Nagara style. The temple measures 380 feet in length (east-west), 250 feet in width, and 161 feet in height. It is supported by 392 pillars and includes 44 doors.
