Construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya: Current Funding Status and Future Prospects
India is witnessing one of the most significant and spiritually charged construction projects in recent times - the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The project, which has garnered immense attention and funds from devotees across the nation, is on the cusp of completion. This article delves into the current funding status, the estimated cost, and the future funding needs for the project.
Current Funding Status
To date, the Ram Mandir project has received donations totaling more than 5500 crore rupees. This substantial amount has been contributed by devotees from across India and even from around the world. The estimated cost of the temple construction is approximately 1800 crore rupees, rendering the donated amount more than sufficient. However, the funds are being managed by the Sri Rama Janma Bhumi Kshetra Trust, which handles all matters related to the temple project.
It is noteworthy that the Government of Uttar Pradesh has contributed a mere one rupee to the trust. Instead, the funding has been overwhelmingly sourced from public donations. This highlights the sentiment among devotees that this is their collective responsibility and that any money spent on the temple comes from their contributions.
First Day Collection and Future Prospects
A significant milestone in the project was the first day of the temple's opening on January 23, 2023. On this day, the Ram Mandir received donations totaling more than 3 crore rupees from devotees. This event set the stage for a possible surge in future donations, with estimates suggesting that the temple could surpass the record collections of the Thirumala Tirupathy Temple, widely regarded as the wealthiest in the world.
The Kshetra Trust has announced that the temple is currently holding the remaining funds after the initial construction costs. This amount is expected to be utilized for the ongoing and future maintenance of the temple. The trust is confident that with the continued support from the public, the temple will generate considerable revenues to sustain its operations.
Historical Context and Controversy
The construction of the Ram Mandir has a rich historical context. Since the time of Advani, the project has seen numerous stages of collection and allocation of funds. Approximately 3500 crore rupees have been collected, with a further few crores expected to be donated. Out of the collected funds, 1800 crore rupees have already been spent on the construction. The remaining balance of the funds is earmarked for maintenance and future development.
Adding to the financial aspects, the Indian government has sanctioned 18000 crore rupees, which is to be used for projects such as railways, airports, and roads, with contributions from other states.
While the financial facets of the project are crucial, it is essential to acknowledge the historical and spiritual significance that the construction of the Ram Mandir holds for the Hindu community. The state of funds today speaks to the immense support and dedication from the public towards this sacred project.