Champat Rai, the General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust, has refuted media reports suggesting water leakage from the roof of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir. He emphasized that not a single drop of water has leaked from the roof, nor has water entered the sanctum sanctorum.
Using his official X handle, Mr. Rai stated, “I am presenting some facts regarding the alleged water dripping from the roof of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple during the rainy season.”
He clarified, “In the sanctum sanctorum where Lord Ramlala is seated, not a single drop of water has dripped from the roof, nor has water entered the sanctum sanctorum from anywhere.”
Mr. Rai further explained that the installation of the idol, Darshan Puja, and construction work are feasible only in a temple made of stones. He expressed concern over misinformation, saying, “I am disturbed due to lack of information.”
Highlighting the quality of the construction, Mr. Rai said, “For the first time in North India, temple construction is being done using only stones (in the North Indian Nagar style) without using iron. In India and abroad, only the temples of the Swami Narayan tradition are made of stones.”
On June 24, Nripendra Mishra, Chairman of the Ram Mandir Construction Committee, commented that the alleged water leakage at the Ram Mandir was “expected because the Guru Mandap is exposed to the sky.”
Mr. Mishra, while in Ayodhya, observed, “I saw rainwater dropping from the first floor. This is expected because the Guru Mandap is exposed to the sky. Once the second floor and Shikhar are completed, this opening will be covered. There was also some seepage from the conduit as the work on the first floor is still in progress. Once completed, the conduit will be closed.”
He assured that there is no design or construction issue with the temple, adding that the open Mandaps may receive rainwater drops, but this was a deliberate decision based on Nagar architectural norms.
“There is no drainage in the Sanctum Sanctorum because all the Mandaps have a measured slope for water clearance, and the water in the Sanctum Sanctorum is manually absorbed. Moreover, devotees are not performing Abhishek on the deity,” he added.
The Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Lord Ram at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya took place on January 22 this year.
According to the Ram Mandir Trust, the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir is constructed in the traditional Nagara style. It measures 380 feet in length (east-west), 250 feet in width, and 161 feet in height. The temple is supported by 392 pillars and 44 doors.
The pillars and walls of the temple feature intricately sculpted depictions of Hindu deities, gods, and goddesses. The main sanctum sanctorum on the ground floor houses the idol of Bhagwan Shri Ram in his childhood form (Shri Ramlalla)water