Belthangady: Nala’s sculptor Jayachandra gets rare opportunity to carve Ram Lalla idols of Ayodhya

Team Udayavani, Jan 3, 2024, 10:26 AM IST

Jayachandra Acharya, a talented sculptor hailing from Nala of Nyayatarpu village in Belthangady taluk, has been a part of a prestigious team tasked with crafting the idol of Balarama for Sri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

This esteemed opportunity was granted after a meeting held by the Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trust in New Delhi seven months ago, where over a hundred sculptors from across the nation participated.

Three teams of artisans headed by Satya Narayan Pandey of Rajasthan, Arun Yogiraj of Mysuru, and Vipin Bhaduaria-GL Bhatt Idagunji from Karnataka were tasked with the idols of Balarama – Lord Rama in his childhood.

Belthangady’s Jayachandra Acharya was a part of the Vipin Bhaduaria-GL Bhatt Idagunji team, alongside other skilled sculptors from various regions. Mounesh Badigere from Hanagal, Prakash Haramanavar from Kalaghatagi, and Sandeep from Idagunji were also part of the team.

According to Acharya, the materials chosen for this sacred endeavor included black stones known as Krishna Shila from Idu in Karkala, Krishna stone from HD Kote, Amrit Shila (Makrana marble stone) from Rajasthan, and Saligrama stone from the Gandaki river in Nepal. The trust directed the teams to fashion an 8-foot tall idol depicting a five-year-old Balarama in a standing posture, selecting stones from Mysuru and Rajasthan for this purpose, he said.

Idols carved at a secret location

Under stringent security measures, the three teams completed the construction of the idol at a concealed location 3 kilometers away from Ayodhya. While one idol will be earmarked for ‘Prana Pratistha’ (consecration), the others are anticipated to be installed on the premises of Sri Ram Mandir.

There were reports about an idol carved by Arun Yogiraj reportedly being finalized, but an official announcement is yet to be made by the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust.

Stones not utilized in this construction are being stored near Ganapati Mandir, potentially earmarked for future idol creations, Acharya said.

About Jayachandra Acharya

Jayachandra Acharya hails from Nala Village in Belthagady. He has been recognized as a rising talent in sculpting and is a recipient of the Karnataka Shilpakala Academy Award. His expertise extends to crafting traditional style idols, encompassing various historical styles like Hoysala, Chola, and Chalukya.

He followed his passion and studied sculpting after completing  PUC.

In a statement expressing his profound gratitude, Jayachandra Acharya shared, “Not only did I get the opportunity to step on the birthplace of Ram through our guru Vipin Bhaduaria of Sagar, but I also got the privilege of participating in the construction of Balaram’s idol, which is the holy moment of my life.”

As the nation eagerly awaits the official unveiling, Jayachandra Acharya’s remarkable contribution exemplifies the depth of talent present in rural regions, adding an exceptional touch to the revered heritage of Sri Ram Mandir.