The construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, originally planned to be finished by June 2025, is now expected to be completed by September 2025. This delay is primarily due to a shortage of workers and the need to replace some stones that were found to be "weak and thin." The temple committee chairman, Nripendra Misra, said these changes are essential to ensure the temple's durability and high quality. Currently, around 200 more workers are needed to complete the project on time, along with efforts to secure quality materials for the construction.
The temple construction committee recently assessed the building status of other structures, like the auditorium, boundary wall, and circumambulation path. Additionally, around 8.5 lakh cubic feet of red ‘Bansi Paharpur’ stone has been brought in for the temple’s boundary wall, but the work is progressing slower than planned.
The temple complex will include several statues, including those for Lord Ram’s court and six nearby temples, which are being crafted in Jaipur. These statues are expected to arrive in Ayodhya by December, with two Ram Lalla statues already ready for prominent spots in the temple. Final decisions on their placement will be made once they are all delivered.
The committee is also discussing ways to improve visitor access, considering the high number of visitors anticipated. Plans to manage crowd flow and possibly increase daily visitor capacity are under review to enhance the experience for worshippers and tourists.
This year’s Deepotsav in Ayodhya, celebrating the Ram temple’s partial opening, set a new world record by lighting more than 28 lakh (2.8 million) diyas along the banks of the Saryu River. This spectacular display was accompanied by performances from artists from countries like Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Indonesia, as well as a staging of the Ram Lila by artists from Uttarakhand. This Deepotsav has become a unique part of Ayodhya’s celebrations, highlighting both the rich cultural heritage and the ongoing development in the region surrounding the Ram temple.