Ahead of the proposed visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Ayodhya on December 30, efforts are underway to provide attractive depictions of major episodes of the Ramayana period on all the major routes leading to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.
The Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) is working to adorn the walls of all major routes with terracotta fine clay murals. Simultaneously, ADA has also initiated the work of embellishing the walls with artifacts made of pebbles and stones.
The process of determining the agency to complete this work is underway and is expected to be completed before the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ (consecration) ceremony.
Furthermore, meaningful efforts are being made to create state-of-the-art infrastructure in Ayodhya, aiming to blend its ancient heritage with modernity. This initiative is expected to transform the city into a vibrant fusion of antiquity and modernity.
According to ADA, terracotta artworks and murals are being installed along the Dharma Path, depicting various events related to Lord Shri Ram’s life. These include scenes from Shri Ram’s court, the killing of Khar-Dushan, and Kaikeyi’s ‘kopabhavan gaman’ scene. This blend of tradition and modernity serves as a symbol that welcomes pilgrims and visitors to experience the timeless charm of Ayodhya.
The Dharma Path is becoming a prominent attraction for numerous pilgrims and travellers seeking spiritual tranquility. The installation of terracotta murals along the roadside has transformed it into a captivating selfie point. These murals act as visual storytellers, depicting sacred legends, epics, and stories that have left an indelible mark on the heart of Ayodhya over the centuries. This initiative not only provides a cultural guidepost for pilgrims but also bridges the gap between the sacred past and the dynamic present, enhancing the spiritual journey for those who traverse this path.
Not only do these murals serve as artistic expressions, but also enhance knowledge, understanding, and unity. They contribute to the beautification of the city and function as an open-air gallery.
The installation of terracotta murals aligns with the ADA’s strategy for the Historical City Circuit and Heritage Walk. By integrating art, heritage, and basic infrastructure, this initiative fulfils the strategic objective of creating a place that instills a sense of pride and belonging equally among residents and visiting pilgrims. Additionally, this project directly contributes to ADA’s goals of promoting cultural tourism and establishing Ayodhya as a global tourist destination.
In this sequence, the height of 50 mural sculptures and mural paintings to be made has been fixed at 9 feet and width 20 feet. The themes will be based on different Ramayana episodes. They will be crafted using riverbed fine clay, and the selected clay for these artworks will be free from urea and salt to prevent corrosion. The baking (firing) of these artworks will be done at temperatures ranging from 970 to 1050 degrees. The relief of the murals will be 8 inches and each part, piece, and block will be applied to the wall with polymer mortar, with a final coat of weather-resistant paint applied.
Likewise, artifacts crafted from pebbles and stones are set to stand at an impressive height of 9 feet and a width of 20 feet. There is a plan to construct a total of 20 such artifacts along the Dharma Path.
The target is to complete the construction of these artworks in two months, but the focus is on completing the artifacts along the main path before January 22. To achieve this goal, focus is also being put on completing the process of determining the agency as soon as possible so that the completion of these construction works can be expedited.
