AYODHYA: The statue of Lord Ram was put within the sanctum sanctorum of the Ayodhya Rama Mandir on Thursday, ahead of the Pran Pratishta event on January 22. The idol’s first picture, which was concealed by a veil, was made public on Thursday during the sanctum sanctorum placement ceremony. Sharad Sharma, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s communications coordinator, released the images. Inside the hallowed confines of the Sri Ram Temple, venerated Acharyas and Brahmins led worship rituals. Members of the Ram Janmabhoomi Tirth Kshetra reportedly took part in the prayers as well, according to the VHP. Renowned Karnataka sculptor Arun Yogiraj created the idol of “Ram Lalla.” The idol weights 1.5 tonnes and is 51 inches tall. The idol, which is made of the same stone, shows Lord Ram as a five-year-old boy standing atop a lotus.