HYDERABAD: When the
Ram temple
in
Ayodhya
is inaugurated on January 22, Hyderabad will have its name carved on it for eternity.
A city-based firm has been tasked with crafting the intricately designed wooden
doors
of the temple, many of them plated with gold. In the first phase, Anuradha Timbers, a 100-year-old company, will build 118 doors for the temple, including for its inner sanctum. Going forward, they will make several more doors, company officials said. At present, 18 doors, which rise about 9 feet, are being
goldplated
. They will be installed along with the rest from January 1.
Previously, the firm, which has executed international projects right from the time of the British, had worked on popular shrines of Tirupati, Yadadri, and Rameshwaram. In recent times it has built luxury yachts for Saudi royalty and Russian businessmen.
"Ours is an international firm of repute. We were invited to take part in the selections along with some of the best firms from india. We got selected on merit. Our artisans managed to impress the selection panel with their detailed carvings on one-and-half inch pillar of the temple model," said Sarath Babu (47), managing director, Anuradha Timbers International located in Bowenpally.
Babu said he was the third generation owner of the firm started by his grandfather Chadalavada Laxmaiah in the 1920s. The temple doors, Babu said, were being made by a team of 50 craftsmen at a workshop in Ayodhya with another 50 providing them support from the city.
“Usually, it takes about six to eight months to make such fine carvings, but we managed to finish them in three months as we are on a tight deadline,” Babu said, adding that the doors will have peacocks, elephants and other elements sculptured on them. Apart from the contract of making doors and door frames, the firm has also been given the responsibility of keeping a check on the quality of teak being used, Babu said.
“We are using the best teak. Of 100 logs, hardly 20 of the best quality have been selected for the Ayodhya temple. We are making door frames and doors using traditional methods without using nails or steel. This will ensure the structures last for more than 1,000 years,” Babu claimed. He said the firm will be working on the project for at least another year as they still have to make more doors.
English (US) ·