What is Garbh Griha explained? The Sanctum Sanctorum of the Ayodhya Ram Temple: Decoding Architecture and Design

The consecration ceremony, known as pran-pratishtha, of Lord Ram Lalla at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is scheduled for January 22, 2024, at 12:20 p.m. The statue representing Lord Ram as a five-year-old kid will be kept in the temple’s garbha griha, or sanctum sanctorum, where the auspicious ceremony will take place.

The devotees’ access to Ram Lalla darshan will open after the consecration ceremony. Since the garbha griha is the residence of the temple’s ruling god, it is very important. The magnificent sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya would be among the biggest in the world.

During the shilapujan ceremony in 2022, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath placed the foundation stone for the garbha griha.

The garbha griha of the Ram temple is said to be one of the biggest in all of temples, measuring 20 feet long by 20 feet broad and 161 feet high.

The garbha griha of the Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple in Gujarat, which measures 15 feet in length and 15 feet in breadth, was the biggest in India before to the building of the Ran Temple in Ayodhya.

What is the appearance of the Garbha Griha?

There are very few windows in the garbha griha, and light is sparse in this area of any temple. The garbha griha has been purposefully designed with these properties. This is included into the garbh griha’s design so that devotees may concentrate on the heavenly idol’s manifestation without being distracted. The temple’s western portion is home to the Garbha griha. Typically, the garbh griha has just one entrance linked to it, with walls enclosing the space on the other three sides. The sanctum sanctorum’s gate is often exquisitely adorned.

What form does the Garbha Griha take?

Traditionally, the garbha griha has been shaped like a square, with one entrance door in front of the idols and walls on three sides. The idol of the god is positioned in the center of the garbha griha, which is constructed on a platform that symbolizes the microcosm of the cosmos. The garbh griha functions as the temple’s focal point.

Which way around do the idols in Garbha Griha sit?

The god in charge determines where the idols are placed in the garbha griha. The Shivalinga is usually situated in the center of the sanctum sanctorum, with idols of Lord Vishnu placed against the rear wall. The garbha griha, also known as the Brahmasthan of the temple, is a hallowed area where the vedi, or altar, is located for religious events. It emphasizes the importance of cleanliness and appropriate clothing for darshan.

Why are there Garbha Grihas made?

An open hall is not the proper place to erect God’s vedi or altar. It is customary for priests and worshipers to enter the garbha griha with the greatest cleanliness. The major focal point of the temple is the sanctum sanctorum, which is intended to preserve the deity and purity of the area.