New Delhi: The consecration of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya was the first step towards making the city a global spiritual tourist hub, as there is a grand plan to build at least 13 new temples, six of which will be inside and seven outside the massive temple complex.
Elaborating on the plan, Ram Janambhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Treasurer Swami Gurudev Giriji told NDTV that all the projects, including the work on completing the main temple, are in progress.
These temples will together make the Ram Parivar. Since Lord Ram is considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, there have to be temples dedicated to Lord Ganapati, Shiva, Surya or the Sun god and Goddess Jagdamba.
These temples will be located in the four corners of the main temple. There will also be a separate temple dedicated to Hanuman, the biggest devotee of Lord Ram. Work is already in progress on these temples, where the statues have been installed. There is the work of polishing and finishing touches also have to be given, according to Swami Gurudev Giriji.
There will be a temple dedicated to Goddess Annapurna near the Sita rasoi, the spot considered the kitchen of Goddess Sita. Outside the temple complex, there will be seven temples across a huge area. These will be dedicated to the “people who shared in the life of Lord Ram, he told NDTV, adding that these would be for Saints Valmiki, Vashist, Vishwamitra, Devi Shavari, and the huge bird Jatayu, who laid down his life for Ram.