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Several BJP leaders including Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and B S Yediyurappa congratulated the sculptor for the achievement.
Joshi on Monday announced the news in a social media post. “Where Rama is, there is Hanuman. The selection of the idol for the Prana Pratishtapana of Lord Rama in Ayodhya has been finalized. Renowned sculptor of our country, our proud Mr @yogiraj_arun The idol of Lord Rama carved by him will be installed in Ayodhya. This is another example of Rama Hanuman’s inextricable relationship. There is no mistaking that this is an important service to Ramlallani from Karnataka, the land of Hanuman,” the Union Minister wrote on X.
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Sharing his happiness on ‘X’, Yediyurappa said, “The idol of Lord Rama sculpted by the sculptor Arun Yogiraj of Mysuru has been selected for installation in the magnificent Sri Rama Mandir of Ayodhya, which has doubled the pride and happiness of the entire Rama devotees of the state. Heartfelt congratulations to ‘Shilpi @yogiraj_arun’.”
Yediyurappa’s son and BJP state president B Y Vijayendra too hailed Yogiraj for making the state and Mysuru proud. “It is the pride of Mysuru, the pride of Karnataka that the idol of Ram Lalla carved by the unparalleled sculpture Arun Yogiraj will be enshrined in Ayodhya on January 22,” Vijayendra said.
Speaking to PTI, Yogiraj said he has not yet received any official communication about whether the idol he had sculpted has been accepted. However, senior BJP leaders had posted the message on ‘X’, which made him believe that his work had been accepted.
According to him, he was among the three sculptors selected by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra to carve an idol of ‘Ram Lalla’. “I am happy that I was among the three sculptors from the country who were selected to carve the idol of ‘Ram Lalla’,” Yogiraj said.
“The idol should be of a child, who is divine too, because it is the statue of the incarnation of God. People who look at the statue should feel the divinity,” Yogiraj said.
“Keeping the divinity aspect along with the child-like face in mind, I started my work about six to seven months ago. Now I am extremely happy. More than selection, people should appreciate it. Only then, I will be happy,” the sculptor said.
About Arun Yogiraj
- Arun Yogiraj, a highly sought-after sculptor in the country, initiated his sculpting journey influenced by his father and grandfather – both revered sculptors under the patronage of the Mysore King.
- Despite a brief stint in pursuing an MBA and working in the corporate sector, Arun’s passion for sculpting pulled him back in 2008, leading to nationwide recognition for his iconic sculptures.
- His portfolio boasts impressive creations like a 30-feet statue of Subhash Chandra Bose near India Gate and notable contributions like a 12-feet tall sculpture of Adi Shankaracharya in Kedarnath and a 21-feet tall Hanuman statue in Mysuru.