Arun Yogiraj: The Sculptor Who Carved The Ram Lalla Idol For Ayodhya's Grand Temple (Image: X @BYVijayendra)

On January 1, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi announced that the idol of Lord Rama, sculpted by Arun Yogiraj, has been selected for installation at the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya. Arun Yogiraj, a sculptor with an MBA background, hails from a lineage of five generations of renowned sculptors in Karnataka”s Mysore. Senior BJP leader and former Karnataka chief minister, BS Yediyurappa, also congratulated Arun Yogiraj for this achievement.

Arun’s grandfather, Basavanna Shilpi, was patronized by the King of Mysore, and his father, Yogiraj, is also a skilled sculptor. Arun Yogiraj, who entered the world of sculpting at a young age, was deeply influenced by his father and grandfather. After completing MBA, Arun Yogiraj worked for a private company. However, the passion drew him back into a sculpting career in 2008.

Notably, a 30 feet statue of Subhash Chandra Bose, displayed behind the Amar Jawan Jyoti behind the India Gate in New Delhi, was crafted by Arun Yogiraj. He had also presented Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a two-foot statue of Subhash Chandra Bose. The popular sculptor from Karnataka has also crafted numerous notable works across the country. This includes a 12 feet tall statue of Adi Shankaracharya in Kedarnath, a 21 feet tall Hanuman statue at Chunchanakatte in Mysore, and the white amritashila statue of Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa in Mysore.

Meanwhile, Arun Yogiraj told PTI that he has not yet received any official communication about whether the idol has been selected. However, congratulatory messages have started pouring in for the sculptor. While hailing Arun Yogiraj, BS Yediyurappa said that the selection has doubled the pride and happiness of the entire Rama devotees of Karnataka. BJP state president B Y Vijayendra, son of BS Yeddyurappa, also praised Arun Yogiraj.