The Yogi Adityanath government has come up with a grand plan to install a mega ‘multimedia show fountain’ worth Rs 100 crore near the upcoming Shri Ram Temple premises in Ayodhya. Nearly 25,000 people would be able to watch the mega fountain at one point of time in amphitheatre-style setting.
News18 has accessed details of the plan which envisages the lotus-shape fountain to come up in 20 acres alongside the Guptar Ghat to Naya Ghat and will shoot water up to 50m. The fountain complex will be developed to give “a truly divine and spiritual experience” along a well-defined theme that complements and enhances the grandeur of Shri Ram Mandir and recognises the special significance of water elements in the overall concept of Shri Ram Mandir, government documents accessed by News18 say.
The fountain aims to transform the temple surroundings from a mere waiting zone to a fresh and relaxing place of spiritual inspiration that complements the temple. It will also act as an appropriate place to tell the epic story of Lord Ram and create an unforgettable experience for both pilgrims and tourists. It aims to be a “magical place” where the water element “invites visitors to calm down, pray and get together”.
The documents say the multimedia show fountain finds its home within the serene confines of Shri Ram Mandir, a sanctuary of calmness and introspection. “Accordingly, the fountain’s purpose goes beyond being a mere ornament in the temple premises; rather, it serves as an extension of the temple’s ethos and embodies the same serenity and tranquillity that the temple evokes. This congruence between the fountain’s essence and the temple’s ambience creates a harmonious synergy, offering the devotees and visitors a holistic experience that touches both the spiritual and sensory dimensions of their being,” the documents specify.”
THE DESIGN
The architectural design of the fountain will be a reflection of the elegant form of the lotus – which is India’s national flower and celebrates Indian culture. “By incorporating this iconic natural element (lotus) into the fountain’s architecture, a strong and heartfelt connection to India’s identity and heritage is established. The fountain design incorporates seven petals in the lotus-inspired form as a tribute to the seven sacred rivers of Hinduism, viz. Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati, Sindhu, Narmada, Godavari and Kaveri. The seven petals that form the central flower in the fountain are a tribute to Lord Ram, the seventh avatar of God Vishnu,” the documents say.
Seven entrances will symbolise the seven sacred rivers of Hinduism and will divide the amphitheatre provided around the fountain into seven sections for visitor seating.
“The seating areas between the entrances symbolise the divine lands of India through which the sacred rivers. The fountain is composed of three levels of lotus-shaped petals. At the top of each level of petals, giant clouds of spray water are created that will add a majestic density and body to the fountain. Water flowing over the petal edges creates stepped cascades with massive water volume. This offers an astonishing visual impact on visitors and the most powerful water scenario for the planned multimedia presentations,” the documents add.