Ayodhya's Ram Mandir: How The Temple Emerged As An Earthquake Resistant Wonder?

The structure of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir is designed to be earthquake-resistant by utilizing high-quality steel, specifically chosen for its durability. Notably, the temple has been built without the use of iron or cement. Instead, to enhance earthquake resistance, the construction relies on stone, a material with a longer lifespan than traditional construction materials.

Professor Ramanchrala Pradeep Kumar, the Director of the CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) in Roorkee, emphasized the choice of stone due to its exceptional longevity and malleability. The avoidance of iron, prone to rusting, further contributes to the temple's structural integrity. The unique stone used in the construction process features a groove, allowing for interlocking between stones. Notably, there is no cement used between the stones, and the primary pink stone originates from Bansi Paharpur in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, known for its strength and extended lifespan.

Champat Rai, the General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, revealed challenges during soil testing for the foundation, where loose sand was discovered beneath the temple. To address this issue, a collaborative effort involving specialists from CBRI, National Geophysical Survey, IIT Delhi, Guwahati, Chennai, Roorkee, Bombay, and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), the construction company, was initiated. The solution involved removing 14 meters of sand from six acres of temple land, followed by the placement of 56 layers of Rolled Compact Concrete, a unique mix that solidifies into rock, preparing a stable foundation for the temple.

Constructed in the Nagara architectural style, the Ram temple follows the tradition of not using iron. The Nagara style, one of the three architectural styles of Hinduism in North India, is associated with the region between the Vindhyas and the Himalayas. Temples like Khajuraho Temple, Somnath Temple, and the Sun Temple of Konark share this architectural style.