Major Construction Materials Used,

• Bansi Paharpur Pink Sandstone from Rajasthan's Bharatpur district have been used in the main temple structure.
• Granite Stones have been used in the plinths
• White Makrana and Colored Marbles have been used for the inlay work
• Teakwood has been used for the construction of the doors of the temple.
• Special Bricks with “Shri Ram” inscribed on them have been used in its construction.
• These bricks, named Ram Shilas, draw a parallel with the stones
  used in the construction of Ram Setu, thus intertwining modern craftsmanship with ancient symbolism.
• Other Materials Used: Shaligram Rock, Copper Plates, Gold, and Ashtdhatu

Important Facts about Ram Mandir

Major Architectural Highlights of Ram Mandir

Some of the major architectural highlights of Ram Mandir can be seen as follows:

Foundation

• A 14-metre thick layer of roller-compacted concrete, looking like an artificial rock, has been used to construct the foundation of the temple.
• A 21-foot-high plinth of Granite has been constructed for protection against ground moisture.

The Main Temple

• The main temple is built in Nagara Style. 
• The original design for Ram Mandir was developed in 1988 by the Sompura family of Ahmedabad. However, in 2020, the old design was modified as per the Vastu Shastra and the Shilpa Shastra.
• The Mandir will have three stories (floors), with each story designed to give the devotees an experience of the various stages of Lord Rama's divine journey.
• The revered temple consists of a total of five Mandaps (Hall) - Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prarthna, and Kirtan Mandaps.

• The temple has a total of 44 doors, of which some will be coated with 100 kg gold.
• The pillars as well as walls of the temple are adorned with statues of deities as well as intricate carvings depicting India's century-old history.
• All along the parikrama path, 100 events from Valmiki's Ramayana have been engraved on the walkways and columns. The idea is to present Ram Katha Darshan.

The Temple Complex

• The temple is surrounded by a rectangular compound wall, called Parkota.
• Along with the main Ram Mandir, the temple complex consists of several other religious structures:
• The temple complex consists of several independent infrastructures of its own
  • A sewage treatment plant
  • A water treatment plant
  • A fire service
  • An independent power station.
  • A Pilgrims Facility Centre of 25,000 capacity to provide medical facilities and locker facilities to the pilgrims.
  • A separate block with a bathing area, washrooms, washbasin, open taps, etc.
  • Learning from the damage caused by lightning strikes to some old temples in Mathura and Kashi, around 200 KA light arresters have been installed over the temple structure.
  • The temple complex includes a museum showcasing artifacts related to Lord Ram and the Ramayana. Thus. more than just a religious center, the Ram Mandir has been envisioned as a cultural and educational center as well.

Other Architectural Facets

• A time capsule has been placed approximately 2,000 feet below the ground, right underneath the temple. The capsule contains a copper plate inscribed with relevant information regarding the Ram Mandir, Lord Rama, and Ayodhya.
• The temple is an earthquake-resistant structure, with an estimated age of 2500 years.
• The idols are made up of 60 million years old Shaligram Rocks, brought from the Gandaki River (Nepal)
• The Bell is made of Ashtadhatu (Gold, Silver, Copper, Zinc, Lead, Tin, Iron, and Mercury)
  • The Bell weighs 2100 Kg
  • The sound of the bell can be heard up to a distance of 15 Km.

The Nagara Style of Temple Architecture

Basic Elements of Hindu Temple

• Sanctum Sanctorum - It is also known as Grabhgriha. It is a small room which houses the principal deity of the temple. 
• Mandapa - It refers to a portico or assembly hall which leads to the Sanctum Sanctorum. 
• Shikhara - It refers to a mountain-like spire. Its shape may vary from pyramid to curvilinear.
• Vahana - It refers to the mount or vehicle of the main deity. It is placed just before the sanctum sanctorum.

Prominent Features of Nagara School of Architecture

• Panchayatan Style wherein the main shrine is built on a rectangular plinth at the center of the temple complex. Along with this, four subsidiary shrines that are smaller in size are built at the 4 corners of the temple complex.
• Images of river goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna, are placed outside the Garbhagriha. 
• The temple is usually constructed on an upraised platform.
• The portico has a pillared approach.
• The vertical end of Shikhara is shaped like a horizontal fluted disc, called Amalak. On the top of the Amalak, a spherical shape is placed, called Kalash.
• There is an ambulatory passageway around the sanctum sanctorum, called Pradakshina Path.

Significance of Ram Mandir's Construction

• Religious Significance: With the completion of the construction of Ram Mandir, the decades of religious clashes between Hindus and Muslims came to an end. This will promote religious harmony in the country. 
• Cultural Significance: The Ayodhya and Ram Mandir are considered a symbol of the historical and cultural heritage of the country. Thus. construction of the temple is a step towards celebrating and preserving India's cultural heritage. 
• Promotion of Social Service: A large number of charitable institutions are expected to come up around the temple. These institutions will promote social service. 
• Economic Significance: The Ram Mandir, as one of the main shrines of the Hindus, will boost tourism in the Ayodhya region. This, in turn, will stimulate economic growth in the region and create jobs.
• Infrastructural Significance: The construction of the Ram Temple has initiated the process of the infrastructural development of the Ayodhya region. Major infrastructure projects such as roads, and airports, followed by some industries are expected to come up in the region. 

Ram Mandir and Ayodhya's Rejuvenation

• Modern infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, sewage systems, and utilities are being designed to accommodate the needs of a growing population and tourism.
• A series of beautification projects have been launched to beautify the entire city, including old Ashrams, ancient ponds, and temples. These projects aim to make Ayodhya “the most beautiful city in the world by 2024
• Development of the Maryada Purshottam Shri Ram International Airport

• Rejuvenation of Ayodhya Junction along with flagging off six Vande Bharat and two Amrit Bharat trains."
• Widening of roads leading to the Ram Temple is being done to ensure smooth traffic movement up to the temple.
• Construction and widening of the National Highways and other important roads that pass through Ayodhya city.
• Construction of new river fronts and rehabilitation of pre-built ghats.
• Construction of some township and residential projects such as the Greenfield Township Project, Vashishtha Kunj Residential Project, etc
• Theme parks, resorts, and hotels are being developed in the city. 

Learnings from the Ram Mandir Construction Project

• Indigenization of technologies: The temple has been constructed using entirely India's traditional and indigenous technology.
• Incorporation of Modern Technology: Advanced digital documentation techniques, including 3D mapping and virtual reality, have been employed to preserve the construction process and details. This is aimed to enable future generations to experience and study the temple's construction in a technologically advanced manner.
• Secularism: The participation of people from various religious communities in the construction of the Ram Mandir has added to fostering the secular fabric of the nation. 
• Cultural Integration: Holy water from 150 rivers across India was used in the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony. This ritual signified that the temple stands as a testament to broader cultural integration and also underscored the most fundamental feature of Indian society - unity in diversity.
• Social Inclusion: Ramps and lifts have been installed in the temple for the convenience of the differently-abled and elderly.
• Environmental Sustainability: Special emphasis has been put on eco-friendly practices in the temple's construction.
• Conservation and Preservation: Placing a Time Capsule underneath the temple is a forward-looking gesture that reflects a commitment to preserving the cultural and historical significance of the temple for future generations.
• Transparency: Throughout the construction of the temple, complete transparency was maintained in reporting the progress. This kept the devotees informed and engaged in the temple's development.
• Cultural Diplomacy: Soil from Thailand is to be used in the consecration ceremony of Lord Rama's statute. Along with reinforcing the universal appeal of Ayodhya as a spiritual center, this symbolizes that Lord Rama's legacy transcends geographical boundaries.

In conclusion, more than just a religious temple, the Ram Mandir represents a confluence of faith, history, and architectural brilliance. The temple stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Lord Rama and the collective spirit of the nation. With the temple expected to serve as a beacon, guiding the spiritual and cultural aspirations of future generations, the construction of the temple is just the start of India's cultural renaissance.