Stressing that the upcoming Ram Tirath temple would serve as a "lighthouse to strengthen the bonds of communal harmony and peace," state revenue minister Bikram Singh Majithia claimed that the design and concept of the temple would be "top class."
"The temple will comprise of a central hall with length, breadth and height of 84 metres each, flanked by four porticos in all directions, with an elegant causeway with deoris (entrance portals) giving access at both ends," he said, adding that the design was based on the concept of the '84 lakh births of a soul' before he attains human form.
"The central shikharas (domes) would be circular, 84 feet high, and would rest on an octagonal drum with windows to allow light to stream inside. Besides, four small shikharas at the corners and the main central shikhara will have a kalasa (crown) at the top. The kalasa is viewed as symbol of abundance, wisdom and immortality," he added.
Majithia said that the temple would stand in a holy sarovar (water tank), which would be connected to the parikarma (pathway) with a bridge. Inside, two helical staircases leading to a gallery showcasing Valmiki's thoughts in inscription and pictorial forms will be built.
"A pocket of 11 acres is being developed as an exhibition and congregation complex with a sangat hall which could seat 5,000 and a museum and panorama to highlight the life Valmiki, as well as major events of the Ramayana," he said, adding that a multi-storeyed parking complex to accommodate 800 cars and admistrative block, serai and langar hall would also be constructed in the complex.
{{/usCountry}}"A pocket of 11 acres is being developed as an exhibition and congregation complex with a sangat hall which could seat 5,000 and a museum and panorama to highlight the life Valmiki, as well as major events of the Ramayana," he said, adding that a multi-storeyed parking complex to accommodate 800 cars and admistrative block, serai and langar hall would also be constructed in the complex.
{{/usCountry}}"The complex has been designed by a team comprising SS Behl, Karamjit Singh Chahal and Rawal Singh Aulakh from department of architecture at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.