Six months after its grand inauguration, the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has encountered issues of water leakage from the roof during rainfall, as reported by the temple’s chief priest, Acharya Satyendra Das.
“In the first rain, the roof of the sanctum sanctorum where the idol of Ram Lalla was installed has started to leak,” Acharya Satyendra Das told ANI. “Attention should be paid to the matter and to find out what was missing. It is very important. There is no space to drain water out of the temple.”
Das expressed surprise at the situation despite the presence of many engineers involved in the temple’s construction. “So many engineers are here, and the Pran Pratishtha was held on January 22, but water is leaking from the roof,” Das told PTI. “Nobody would’ve thought this.”
Nripendra Mishra, chairperson of the Sri Ram Mandir Construction Committee, acknowledged the leakage and attributed it to the exposed nature of the ‘Guru Mandap.’
“I am in Ayodhya. I saw the rainwater dropping from the first floor. This is expected because Guru Mandap is exposed to the sky as the second floor and completion of Shikhar will cover this opening,” Mishra explained to ANI. “I also saw some seepage from the conduit as this work on the first floor is in progress. On completion, the conduit will be closed.”
Mishra clarified that there is no drainage system in the Sanctum Santorum, and water in other Mandaps is managed manually. He assured that the design and construction of the temple were not at fault and that the open Mandaps were intentional as per architectural norms.
The Ram Temple in Ayodhya was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22 amidst grand ceremonies attended by senior political and religious leaders.