Marvel of modern engineering: Ram Mandir of Ayodhya
The construction of Ram Mandir, a grand structure is dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Rama.
The temple is a marvel of modern engineering, designed not to just withstand the strongest earthquakes and most intense flooding, but endure for a millennium.
Let's take a look at what went into constructing the grand temple.
Constructed by Larsen and Toubro with management by Tata Consulting Engineers Limited, the Ram Temple is a result of meticulous planning and innovative construction techniques.
The temple's design, inspired by traditional Nagara style architecture, incorporates 360 pillars and is made entirely of stone, moving away from the more modern iron, steel, or even cement.
This decision was made to enhance the structure's earthquake resistance, as stone has a longer lifespan and better durability compared to other materials.
One of the most significant scientific innovations in the temple's construction is its foundation.
The temple is built on a 15-meter thick layer of rolled compacted concrete, which includes 56 layers of compacted concrete made from fly ash, dust, and chemicals.
This robust base is further reinforced by a 21-foot thick plinth of granite, designed to protect the temple from moisture.
The foundation's pillars are likened to those supporting mammoth bridges over mighty rivers, ensuring the temple's robustness against seismic activity.
The construction process also involved unique challenges, such as maintaining the temperature of self-compacting concrete at 18 degrees below ambient temperature during pouring.
To achieve this, on-site ice crushing plants were utilised, and the foundation was filled only at night to minimise the impact of external temperatures.
These measures were part of the many innovations that marked the construction of the temple, which required the expertise of a team of 150 engineers and thousands of workers.
The temple's design is capable of enduring an earthquake of up to magnitude 6.5, and is projected not to need repairs for 1,000 years. The team measured historical earthquake intensity in the region stretching from Ayodhya to Nepal and simulated it in the laboratory to design a unique foundation for the temple.
Based on the advice of the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai, engineers dug the ground 15 meters removing the top soil, which is believed to be clayey. It was then filled with the re-engineered soil.
The re-engineered soil used for the foundation can solidify into stone within 14 days, with a total of 47 layers carefully laid during the construction process.
The Director of CISR-Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) in Roorkee praised the use of stone in the temple's construction, noting that it lasts longer than other materials and avoids the issue of rusting iron.
Engineers also looked into flooding records of the region and confirmed that the level on which the temple is being constructed is safe from any future flooding.
Furthermore, the temple features a unique noon reflection mechanism, designed by CBRI, which directs sunlight onto the idols' foreheads at noon during Ram Navami, enhancing the spiritual experience for devotees.
The temple is a marvel of modern engineering, being designed not just to withstand the strongest earthquakes and most intense flooding, but to endure for a millennium.
The newly constructed structure is being hailed as the amalgamation of spirituality with scientific innovation.
In Ayodhya, a temple is rising, not just as a place of worship but as a fusion of ancient faith and modern science.
