he recently constructed Ram temple, with an investment exceeding Rs 1,000 crore, is facing significant issues in its sanctum sanctorum, particularly regarding its drainage system, causing major difficulties for the temple priests. The primary concern is the lack of an outlet for water used in daily rituals.

This water remains stagnant, raising alarms among the priests and temple authorities. A priest, who wished to remain anonymous, explained that the daily ritual of bathing Ram Lalla involves using water from the Saryu river and a mixture called ‘Madhu Purk’, which includes milk, curd, ghee and honey. This is followed by another bath with Saryu water.

“Unfortunately, there is no system in place to drain out the water that accumulates on the floor after these rituals,” the priest lamented.

Presently, a large plate is used to collect the water, which is then offered to plants. Any leftover water is manually mopped, a temporary measure that poses an ongoing problem for the priests.

The priest pointed out that the temple’s construction did not take into account the ritual of bathing of Bhagwan Ram, leading to the absence of a drainage outlet in the sanctum sanctorum.

Engineers from L&T (Larsen & Toubro), the construction company, have been notified and they are working on a solution.

To combat the heat, two tower air-conditioners have been installed, but they are proving insufficient. The technical limitations also hinder the installation of a more effective cooling system within the sanctum sanctorum. The intricately carved stone structure would require substantial modifications to install air-conditioning or create a drainage system, which would damage the sanctum sanctorum’s aesthetics and is technically challenging due to the interlocking construction method.

“The engineers of Ram mandir are actively seeking solutions to these problems,” the priest added.

“The Ram Mandir Trust is tasked with the difficult job of preserving the sanctum sanctorum’s beauty while addressing these technical issues. As engineers work on potential solutions, the priests and devotees are hopeful for a resolution that maintains the sanctity and integrity of this revered space,” he added.

The Ram mandir was consecrated on January 22 this year, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the temple for the public. The ceremony was attended by several prominent figures from across the country. Despite the grandeur of the event, the temple’s technical challenges remain a pressing concern.