- 2 days ago
With the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir now complete, Nripendra Mishra, Chairman of the Ram Mandir Construction Committee, speaks to Rajesh Kalra, former Executive Chairman of Asianet News. The conversation reflects on the temple's journey—from planning and construction to completion—covering key challenges, donations, engineering milestones, pilgrim facilities, and the vision behind one of India's most significant temple projects. Featuring exclusive visuals captured throughout the construction journey.
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00:19The world wants to know what is happening in Ayodhya.
00:25I, no doubt, I keep thinking that if God has picked me up, He will definitely ensure that
00:33I cross the river.
01:00We have brought you extensive coverage of the temple at Ayodhya, Ram temple at Ayodhya.
01:07During its construction phase, we visited the temple first in April 2022, then we followed
01:15it up with another visit in October 2022, then with another visit in August 2023, so that
01:22you were completely kept in the loop as far as the construction is concerned.
01:28And of course, then we visited during the Pran Pratishtha in January 2024.
01:33When the Pran Pratishtha happened, a lot of work needed to be done.
01:37Even the Shekhar of the main temple was not ready.
01:40The parkota was not ready and all the attendant temples which are there in the complex were
01:45not ready.
01:46Now all of it is ready and we were fortunate to be invited back into the temple by Shri
01:52Nipendra Mishra who showed us around the entire complex.
01:56Mr. Mishra is the chairman of the committee which is constructing the temple and he also
02:02of course was the principal secretary to the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
02:07You will see what all facilities have been created for the pilgrims, what all pains have
02:14been taken to make it more comfortable for the pilgrims to have their darshan.
02:20I am sure you will understand a lot more about what the temple is all about through this video.
02:43The Pran Pratishtha was the Pran Pratishtha and the final tempest was ready 25 November.
02:52What were the main challenges during that period other than of course it would rain and all
02:57those things?
02:57Actually, you should see the challenges from 2020 though we met of course and we have recorded.
03:08But the real thing, the message is that after we reached here when the Covid was there and
03:19at that time and then the construction started.
03:27And then the foundation work of the temple was done.
03:32That is when we had come, I remember April 2022.
03:39It was in the August that Prime Minister had laid the foundation for the temple.
03:47In fact, the journey itself is an inspiration.
03:56Because the construction, the addition of building, the dream that what is necessary, it developed
04:06from stages.
04:07I had never thought in 2020 when I was to become construction committee chairman that such a
04:13huge temple will be my responsibility for construction.
04:19So, when I asked the Sompura architect, where is your artwork on which you have shown, it was
04:29a small one mandap sanctum sanctorum and that is it.
04:36Then the trust met in Delhi and we decided, no, no, no, no, no, it has to be very good.
04:42Then the five mandaps were thought of.
04:45Then the two-storey construction was thought of.
04:49Then it was thought there will be Ram, there will be Ram Darbar, Ram Parivar and then the
04:56second one sanctum sanctorum will have the rarest of the rare manuscripts, Ramayana.
05:03I will tell you...
05:04Are they there already?
05:05Are they there already?
05:05One is there.
05:06And we are now, we have already circulated in the crowd.
05:12And in fact, exactly at 11.30 a family is coming with their manuscript which is 300 years old and
05:20they are coming to give it to us.
05:22How nice.
05:23Yeah.
05:23Okay.
05:24And the experts will be there to examine.
05:28But see how things were changing.
05:39You see this, the windows, they are total 32 in number.
05:46Okay.
05:46Only in this area.
05:48It is only in this area that is called Pradikshana Sanctum Sanctorum then the Pradikshana.
05:55Now, normally one would have made simple window.
06:01Correct.
06:01But the locals here and some institutions in Delhi, they said, no, it should be something
06:11which will never destroy itself.
06:13Really?
06:14So, what is that?
06:14Then the only thing was titanium.
06:16You can't get titanium normally.
06:19So, there is a defence ministry's PSU called Middhani.
06:23Okay.
06:27Then a design was given to them.
06:30Then they made it, finally, because it required all kinds of jet cutting and etc.
06:38It was done in Hyderabad, brought here and installed.
06:43So, now, when you say the journey, this is the thought of 2024.
07:02The dream kept evolving.
07:05Who gave the dream?
07:06I don't know.
07:07If you say, did you think of it?
07:09The answer is absolute no.
07:11Only thing is, I am just a medium to execute which somehow, the entire consensus told us, you have to
07:22do this.
07:31Did everything go as planned when something started?
07:35How many challenges were there?
07:37Everything did not go as planned, but delays took place.
07:45Problems are there.
07:48For example, this.
07:50The problem now today is that we have to settle.
07:55It looks easy.
07:56But the problem is, the design which was given to them, that the total loss, process loss is more than
08:1052%.
08:12That means, if you put 100% titanium, 52% is just lost.
08:18That's a big...
08:19That's a very big amount.
08:21So, we have not yet settled.
08:24Should it be 52?
08:25Should it be 32?
08:27What is it?
08:28They have built for 52.
08:29We are now working, examining, taking information from those who know the subject.
08:38Taking even information from private sector.
08:41There is a company doing titanium work in Lucknow.
08:45So, the owner was requested to come.
08:48He was shown.
08:49And we asked him.
08:52Now, we have to settle this.
08:54Now, on the pace of it, it looks very easy.
08:56We have just ordered, we should do.
08:59Correct.
08:59But when it comes to final resolution of a problem, in a manner which is just and fair.
09:07Correct.
09:07I agree.
09:08It does require.
09:19I will say it was a journey of dream realized in stages.
09:28And the dream came from the devotees.
09:39The dream came from saints and sages who had thought this is how the Ram temple should look like.
09:52So, clearly, it looks very easy.
09:55We have decided.
09:56But to take a decision that here, this will be Santh Pundalik or Pandarpur, Bhagawan Bithal.
10:04Yes, yes, yes.
10:05So, what is the story?
10:09Should we select this or something else?
10:12There were challenges that how do we ensure that the real ones have been picked up?
10:17So, we had to consult.
10:19There were five people knowing the background of Ved, Puran and the story of such saints.
10:32They recommended that these are the 79 murals you should put.
10:36Okay.
10:37And they are.
10:38That's how it is.
10:38They are.
10:48This is the Sant Chokhamila.
10:51We have all only such bronze murals have been especially picked by a group of saints.
10:59Only pick up those personalities or saints who followed Maryada Purushottah.
11:07That is, whatever was the saying of Bhagawan, Ram, they followed in real practice.
11:14So, that is what and see the face of them.
11:19This was done by Sutar.
11:21Okay.
11:22Yeah.
11:22Anil Sutar, the son of Primus.
11:24I know.
11:24I know.
11:24Yes.
11:24The son of Ram Sutar.
11:29Sant Eknaz.
11:31Man, who followed this thing eradicating all forms of social inequality.
11:48But tell me overall, when it was complete almost temple, are you satisfied with anything?
11:54or you still do you think with hindsight some things could have been done differently?
11:57The satisfaction will come from the expressions of the devotees,
12:04from their faces, how they are seeing it, if they are satisfied.
12:11If I am standing here, somehow they do make a guess that this guy is the person
12:17who is one of the team member who is responsible for construction.
12:21Now if he is happy, he may just stop and pause.
12:25If he is not, he will just go because he is experiencing heat, no facility for water
12:31and so he wants that there should be water which must be kept here.
12:38So the question of satisfaction, I have to wait.
12:42But abhi tak logon ke reactions, how do they generally react?
12:47You would also have feedback from all the people around, even guards and other Panditji.
12:52I will be very honest, my main concern would be devotees and the devotees of all the states of India
13:04and devotees from outside.
13:08If they comment that the management and darshan was hassle-free and he could see everything,
13:18then it is satisfactory.
13:19Correct, agree.
13:20But if it is not...
13:22It is for them ultimately.
13:23So if you said that what is the pilgrim satisfaction level, I will say it is yet only 60%.
13:36What would need to be done to make it higher?
13:39First, the devotees, when they come, they must get the entry and for that, more important is the small things.
13:54For signages, are they telling the right way or is he lost?
14:00After the signages, he has to deposit his mobile because he is asked, you can't carry mobile, you are not
14:09able to go with shoes, although here it is allowed.
14:13But see, people, since they have come from temple, they are going without because they will collect the shoe finally.
14:20So the arrangement could be that we should make it in a manner that after Bhagawan darshan, they can go
14:28collect the shoe and then he starts.
14:29Without actually much change in their routine.
14:33How the whole system...
14:35And we have to learn.
14:36It is a learning trail and it must improve.
14:42Then there are people who should be there guiding in different languages.
14:47They are not there.
14:48We have to put that facilities there.
14:51So...
14:52What about those, you know, headphones which you can turn in any language?
14:58It's one lakh people.
15:00You can't.
15:01Even giving and collecting will take one day.
15:05It's a challenge.
15:05We are not able to do it in a museum.
15:08Correct.
15:09Where only a thousand people will come.
15:11Correct. I agree.
15:12In fact, the Bangalore company...
15:16Our poddars are there.
15:18They have explosive unit.
15:20They are very rich.
15:21But their hobby is to make some museum.
15:24So they are going to create an immersive Ram Katha which will show all this.
15:32It's 3D.
15:33I get it.
15:34That will be perfect.
15:36Some of the things which you also did at the Pradhan Mantri Sangatala...
15:40That has to be developed.
15:42Is it in the pipeline?
15:43Yeah.
15:43Yeah.
15:43Yeah.
15:49Yeah.
15:52As you said, you were evolving so you know there is nothing.
15:55It's always benefit of hindsight is always there.
15:57Of course.
15:58You know what is needed.
16:01You also know the shortcomings.
16:06But at this state, reality wise, it is reality number 2 and 3.
16:12Okay.
16:12One is completion.
16:14Which it is now almost.
16:16Yeah.
16:16It is now.
16:17Now we will have to go for a little more detail.
16:23Now for the example general, you can make out even from a different state.
16:27He is not able to get someone who should display Tamil, may I help you.
16:36Correct.
16:36If that was there, you would have spoken.
16:38Correct.
16:38My worry is, it should not appear as a North Indian temple only.
16:43Correct.
16:43This is what the Prime Minister said.
16:45That look, your main challenge is, make it not just all India.
16:52Make it Sanatan Dharma temple.
16:55Correct.
16:56That is what we have to make.
16:58Correct.
17:08How does a pilgrim, you know, how do you make him comfortable when it is 45, 46 degrees and stone
17:15all around?
17:16There is radiation from stones also.
17:18How to make it comfortable for the pilgrim?
17:20First thing important for him to drink is water.
17:26At this stage, I would say it is not yet enough.
17:33The second is, and I will show you,
17:39that he must have a cover on his head,
17:45so that if he is walking,
17:48both by the entry and also the exit,
17:55he must get that.
17:57I will show you what kind of construction has gone into that,
18:02and how do we ensure it.
18:17You must get the idea that you have come out of Prakuta.
18:22Okay.
18:23But this is still inside the 5 acre zone or outside?
18:27You are in the 71 acre zone.
18:30Okay.
18:30So, this 5 acre begins from inside this?
18:32Yeah.
18:335 acre is inside.
18:34Okay.
18:35Now, you are covering the remaining.
18:38For example, on the right side, what you see green,
18:43this is the, in a way you can call it, the master toilet.
18:48At any point of time, it can accommodate 250 people.
18:55Okay.
18:56I see.
18:56Here are these other.
18:58Now, on the left side, you are seeing Sesha-Avatar temple.
19:06Sesha-Avatar.
19:06Okay.
19:07Now, Sesha-Avatar is Lakshmanji.
19:09There is a history of this, and Lakshmanji's temple,
19:13it was very special here from Vasilyu's point of view.
19:17The belief was that if you don't build this, and if the height of that Shikhar,
19:28it doesn't go to the level of Sanctum Sanctorum, then you do not get the advantages of Vasily.
19:36Really?
19:36Okay.
19:37So, we followed it.
19:38This is the exit.
19:40Right?
19:41And they are now going.
19:42The right side are the 7 temples that you asked.
19:45Okay.
19:46Okay.
19:47So, Shabrimata, Nishat.
19:48Shabrimata, Nishat.
19:49Each one of them, these are the Sapt Mandir.
19:53Okay.
19:54Okay.
19:54Agasth, Muni, Hilya.
19:58Okay.
19:58And now people visit here freely.
20:01I also noticed it's a more non-elite crowd.
20:08Oh, yes.
20:08Oh, yes.
20:09This is actually a poor man's temple.
20:14And the reason for that is, you must understand, at one point of time, Ayodhya and the Ram Mantir
20:24was seen as a temple of North India.
20:30And the people who were coming, the captive crowd or devotees, they were of Eastern UP.
20:41Really?
20:42Okay.
20:42So, the...
20:44I mean, about 22 districts, all going right up to Baliyah, Banaras, Adamgarh, they say that.
20:52Maximum crowd came from there.
20:55And they were poor people.
20:58Their per capita income comparatively was half of the normal.
21:02So, that is what was originally seen.
21:07But now, it has become a must for every citizen of India.
21:14Yeah, all over the country.
21:14I can tell you, the families, the elderly people ask their children, I want one version of Ram.
21:24And that is how people come.
21:26Oh, nice.
21:26If you see the lanes coming and your trains carrying, then you realize, oh, God, this is what we have
21:35to provide comfort.
21:43You asked about the heat.
21:45Now, here you see the construction, what thought went.
21:49Okay.
21:50I will explain to you.
21:51Okay.
21:56This is the canopy, that construction, right?
22:01People are walking on that.
22:03Correct.
22:03So, they are not getting the sun.
22:06They are protected.
22:07There is a fan and they are walking.
22:09This canopy will take them right up to the exit.
22:13So, it will extend all the way.
22:15Yeah, yeah.
22:15All the way to Subvivkila.
22:16So, what remains to be done right now?
22:21Outside 71 acres, here only, two constructions have to be done.
22:27One is trust office and the other is auditory.
22:31Yes, that is being done.
22:32I have seen the road.
22:34But I will just now take you.
22:36Now, what you are seeing, this is foolishly kept here.
22:41Yesterday I told them to remove it immediately.
22:43What is the police?
22:44The police cabin.
22:49The police cabin.
23:00The police cabin.
23:00Now, let us know that.
23:02So, that is for him.
23:03Because he is where he was.
23:05Same wooden structure.
23:07But it is not finished?
23:09It is not?
23:10No, it is.
23:10Only 24 hours, 24 hours will continue.
23:15Otherwise, it's not complete.
23:17So, that is not finished yet?
23:18The bike's car is not there.
23:19Yes, the bike's car has the light.
23:20Who does it?
23:22The vehicles have the vehicles.
23:23The vehicles have the vehicles.
23:25Heirs has a car.
23:26Okay, but people didn't approve of that. Okay, so now that is being done. Otherwise, it's all complete
23:40This is one construction which has been completed now. I am now taking it to martyrs memorials. I see. Okay,
23:49that's important
23:49The car savers who were killed okay over 500 years of people who were okay. Okay, who sacrifice their life
24:03We have already put the steel structure. Okay, the granite is being carved in a company in Meret and
24:12That will be delivered on twenty-fifths of this month. Yeah, yeah, okay, and 30th it will be completed
24:18So the entire thing
24:20Will have the granite
24:22Lalitpur red granite. Okay, will be here. So this is the place. Yeah, that's martyrs memorial and
24:31The message is written on that stone where you see the black thing
24:35There is a cabin for each pilgrim if you put your mobile this and that shoes etc in a jute
24:46bag and you and
24:47Give it to the person he will give you a token that and you are out on but then still
24:52you have to walk without shoes
24:54So we decided eight minute rukhye ga and then you take the photo
24:59That the closest shoe counter should be this
25:02Hmm so this is the closest shoe counter
25:08That must be filled before people are asked to go and deposit there
25:13So this can easily take care for the turnover of five thousand people at a time
25:19That's your thing that's large unless one very special days
25:22So here the it is slightly improved you put it in the tunnel your bag will go
25:30Come down the ground floor and then you will just
25:34Take it from here where again chapel
25:46Some things you realize yeah once people start going in and this is something which we should have done. Yeah,
25:53correct
25:53People are coming out. They will take prushad
25:57If they have to donate they will do the donation and then go collect the shoe and walk
26:10So what is the maintenance of the trust now and operation and maintenance they have signed contract
26:21With different companies for example operation and maintenance of let us say the
26:27Generator
26:28Is with the supplier of the generator for five years. Okay
26:33BVG are responsible for cleaning. Okay, BVG of course, it's a all over condominiums in Delhi could go also. Yeah
26:42Yes, they have not a business
26:49Now we have come seven all this round of seven temples and now we are entering the coberties
27:04You are asking where the auditorium is. Yes, yes, yes
27:08You are looking at the blue sheets
27:11That is right
27:12So that divides between the security area
27:16And the auditorium will be there only will be screening what kind of things
27:22Oh, it could be a talk it could be
27:24I have got something to do with religion all the time and the most important thing is that it has
27:37been kept out of the premises so that the visitor there is not subject to security checking of the level
27:46it is here.
27:49DMR is doing all horticulture, all horticulture will be willing to pay five hundred to three years but at the
28:10facility of the cart, the cart was available.
28:13Correct.
28:15Now, the winch here is the only one.
28:18And they give us three hundred rupees.
28:21So, when we are going, naturally they are seeing.
28:25They would say, why can't we get it?
28:27Why can't we get it?
28:28I know, I can imagine.
28:29Because if it is going means it is possible to bring it.
28:31We have to remove privileges.
28:34Yeah.
28:34That is the target.
28:36I agree.
28:38So, this is the Kuberka Tila, right?
28:40Yeah, and shoe temple.
28:48Yes.
28:48They can go in.
28:49Yes.
28:50Yes.
28:50So, if it is open, people take the water.
28:54They can go in.
28:55Yes.
28:55Yes.
28:56Yes.
29:09Yes.
29:11Yes.
29:15Yes.
29:16Yes.
29:17Yes.
29:19Yes.
29:20And that is his hand洗 them up.
29:23the tale can understand from this place.
29:29Now, this is the edition of Jatayu in 2023.
29:33I said this was an afterthought.
29:35Yes, this was an afterthought.
29:37Who is a living being,
29:41who sees every person of God?
29:55These are the ponds.
29:59You can see the wind coming.
30:01It's cold.
30:02Sure.
30:04Natural cooling also.
30:07When we came to the plant,
30:10it was very cold.
30:13I still remember, it was very cold in the morning.
30:30This is, of course, the new temple,
30:33the Garab Greh,
30:34you know,
30:34Bhagawan Ka Mandir Hai.
30:36There was also this thing about Hanuman Gadi
30:41and Kutkar Ghat.
30:43Are they developing something?
30:45It's not in our focus.
30:56You had once said that you are talking to the state government,
31:00said it will develop the whole area.
31:03There is a master plan,
31:06which has been approved by the chief minister.
31:17The entire Ayodhya impact is, in a way, financed by
31:23devotees' contribution.
31:25Correct.
31:26So, they must get the facility
31:30that they are little,
31:31because it's a matter of faith.
31:34They will be willing to do anything
31:36to get their faith fulfilled.
31:43When I came here first,
31:46that was the first layer of Delhi.
31:48Then I came when the engineered soil was done,
31:52and the seven layers of granite were being put.
31:55Only three layers were put at that time in some areas.
31:58Then when I came,
32:00some work had started happening.
32:02Then it was almost complete,
32:04except for the Sanctum Sanctorum.
32:07But the project of this level,
32:12to be carried out like this,
32:15means if we put our head together,
32:16we can do it.
32:17Yeah, yeah, yeah.
32:18It needed cooperation of everybody,
32:23for a very timely...
32:40I wanted to ask one final question.
32:42You know, you were running the Prime Minister's office,
32:45when you came here to build the most talked about construction in this country,
32:50in over a century.
32:54How has this experience changed you?
32:57You will not believe,
32:59because it sounds a little bit playing up my own personality.
33:06Mm-hmm.
33:07Therefore, I am generally hesitant,
33:09but I will confess,
33:12till I was Principal Security to the Prime Minister,
33:17so from the first day of training as Indian Administrative Service,
33:22Mm-hmm.
33:23you call it probation officer.
33:26Mm-hmm.
33:27Till I left the PMO,
33:31mostly,
33:34my description of achievement,
33:39or doing completion of the work was,
33:45very loud use of the word I.
33:50Mm-hmm.
33:51The I was coming very strongly.
33:55Mm-hmm.
33:57I organized this meeting,
33:59and the decision was taken.
34:01Perhaps your training is such that you have to speak in that tone,
34:05Mm-hmm.
34:05also because you are equally keen to impress your seniors.
34:15When here for five years,
34:20the moment the word I came,
34:23immediately I got a knock here,
34:25Be humble.
34:27Mm-hmm.
34:28You are only an instrument.
34:30Mm-hmm.
34:31And I often quote,
34:33Ma Amrita Nand Mahi had sent me a message.
34:38Mm-hmm.
34:39In that message it is written,
34:41remember you are only an instrument to complete the task assigned by God.
34:50So these five years,
34:53it was jarring if somebody said,
34:56aap niya bana diya.
34:57Really.
34:58Haa.
34:59It looked as if,
35:01he and I,
35:02we are committing sin if you are believing it.
35:05This was totally a work assigned in a divine manner,
35:12also now complete.
35:14So I had that satisfaction.
35:27And have you seen others around you also change like this?
35:30Because you have been involved with people for five years.
35:32I know, you know,
35:33you know,
35:33Ilandi se the, Tata se the,
35:35baaki security ke the,
35:37people who have come and met you,
35:38rock management wale wo jo the,
35:40aate the,
35:41kaan se,
35:42kolaar se.
35:43Yeah.
35:44Yeah.
35:44Yeah.
35:46Yeah.
35:48The thing that I will say because I never discussed the personal matter,
35:53but when I saw their cooperation,
35:59there was something compelling them.
36:05Not even a single person for a single moment ever said,
36:11he cannot do it.
36:13He is too busy.
36:15It can't be delivered.
36:17Like that.
36:19Everyone said only one sentence.
36:22Ram ke kaam mein hum jura jayain.
36:25Isse bari kawansi cheej hai.
36:26So,
36:27sab log e chaste se,
36:28aap mujhe kaam deegi hai.
36:30They almost felt as if it's a privilege to be given some work.
36:33Yeah.
36:33To woh seek kar rat hai,
36:34aap mujhe kaam deegi hai,
36:36hum to ram ke naam pe kaam karengi hai.
36:45Kipne loog hoonne payment nahi liya hai.
36:48Hmm.
36:49Aap pooch righet hai,
36:51hi,
36:51hi.
36:52Hi.
36:54Hi.
36:54Hi.
36:54Hi.
36:55Hi.
36:55Hi.
36:56Hi.
36:56Hi.
36:56Hi.
36:57Hi.
37:01Hi.
37:08You are not seen God in His Son.
37:08When he has asked what will you take for this work,
37:11he says zero.
37:13He has not taken any money.
37:15His contribution to the temple.
37:17And he is going to do the operation and management also free of costs.
37:31Initially, when the Sangh and Vishindu Parshad
37:37decided to launch a collection,
37:40they went to more than four lakh villages.
37:44They contacted more than 10 crore families
37:47and they could get donations.
37:50Of course, there were big donations.
37:52But a small donation to a big donation,
37:55the total was 3,200 crores.
37:58Correct.
37:59So when you say,
38:00this is all good,
38:02it is good for this too,
38:04because we were sitting on money.
38:07Money was never...
38:08In fact, the challenge is,
38:10and maybe we may not have passed that challenge,
38:14it should have...
38:15I mean, the ask of the time,
38:19the assigned responsibility to us was,
38:24please handle this donation money very carefully.
38:30It is God's money.
38:32Don't waste it.
38:33So don't just throw away money like that.
38:39That was important.
38:41It even now remains important.
38:45It even now remains important.
39:11It is God's money.
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