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Published 21:21 IST, June 24th 2024

Leakage at Ayodhya Ram Temple's Roof? Chief Priest Raises Concern

"The Ram Mandir's roof has begun leaking following heavy rainfall in Ayodhya", said head priest Acharya Satyendra Das.

Reported by: Digital Desk
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Ayodhya Ram Mandir
"The Ram Mandir's roof has begun leaking following heavy rainfall in Ayodhya", said head priest Acharya Satyendra Das. | Image: PTI

New Delhi: Nearly five months after the grand inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, head priest Acharya Satyendra Das revealed on Monday that the temple's roof has begun leaking following heavy rainfall in the city. He further highlighted the absence of adequate drainage measures to address the issue effectively.  

"It is very surprising. So many engineers are here and the Pran Pratishtha was held on January 22, but water is leaking from the roof. Nobody would've thought this," Das told media persons.  

'Difficult to Offer Prayers'

Speaking to ANI, Das further said, "In the first rain, the roof of the sanctum sanctorum where the idol of Ram Lalla was installed has started to leak. Attention should be paid to the matter and to find out what was missing. It is very important. There is no space to drain the water from the roof. It would become difficult to offer prayers at the roof if there is heavy rainfall."

Construction panel chief reacts

Speaking on the alleged water leakage at the temple premises, Sri Ram Mandir Construction Committee Chairman, Nripendra Mishra said, “I am in Ayodhya. I saw the rainwater dropping from the first floor. This is expected because Guru Mandap is exposed to the sky as the second floor and completion of Shikhar will cover this opening. I also saw some seepage from the conduit as this work on the first floor is in progress. On completion, the conduit will be closed. There is no drainage in the Sanctum Santorum because all the Mandaps have measured slope for clearance of water and the water in Sanctum Santorum is manually absorbed. Moreover, the devotees are not performing Abhishek on the deity. There is no design or construction issue. The Mandaps which are open may get rainwater drops which was debated but the decision was to keep them open as per Nagar architectural norms.”  

Pre-monsoon Rains in Ayodhya: 5 Major Roads Collapsed

Ayodhya's infrastructure suffered significant damage during the pre-monsoon rains, with several major roads collapsing in just a few hours of heavy downpour.

Among the affected areas, three spots on Ram Path were particularly affected, alongside damage near Chowk on Rikabganj Road and in front of the police lines where large potholes emerged. Even the recently constructed Pushpraj Chauraha-Fatehganj Road was not spared, experiencing substantial damage that has raised doubts about its construction quality.

Sunday night saw torrential rains exacerbate the situation, leading to a major section of the Pushpraj Chauraha-Fatehganj route collapsing near the police line gate. Local residents quickly responded by placing bricks and tree branches around the area to prevent accidents.

Similarly, chaos ensued when a segment of Rikabganj Road near Chowk Ghantaghar collapsed while a car was passing through, trapping the vehicle in the newly formed pothole.

On the other hand, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini along with 13 ministers and as many MLAs on Monday paid obeisance at the Ram temple here and said he will approach the Uttar Pradesh government for opening a guest house for the state in the holy city. State Assembly Speaker Gyan Chand Gupta was also a part of the group. After the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, Saini flagged off buses from many cities to Ayodhya. The government is providing free pilgrimage in these buses to devotees above 60 years of age and having an annual income of Rs 1.80 lakh, he added.

Updated 21:39 IST, June 24th 2024