Since its opening, the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has remained in headlines over a range of issues. After reports of leaking roofs and roads caving in, the latest in a string of troubling incidents is the reported theft of valuable lighting fixtures in the holy city.

A contractor recently reported the theft of 3,800 bamboo lights and 36 gobo projector lights, worth over Rs 50 lakh, to the police. These lights were installed on Ram Path and Bhakti Path by the firm Yash Enterprises and Krishna Automobiles, under a contract awarded by the Ayodhya Development Authority.

The theft, which allegedly occurred between March and May, was discovered during an inspection on May 9. But an FIR was only filed on August 9 at the Ram Janmabhoomi police station.

In the complaint, Shekhar Sharma, representative of the firm, stated, “A total of 6,400 bamboo lights and 96 gobo projector lights were installed on Ram Path and Bhakti Path, respectively. All the lights were there till March 19, but after an inspection on May 9, it was found that some lights were missing. Around 3,800 bamboo lights and 36 gobo projector lights were stolen by some unidentified thieves.”

The police have so far refrained from commenting on the incident saying the investigation is on.

Ram Path is a 13 km, four-lane highway connecting Sadatganj to Naya Ghat. Bhakti Path, on the other hand, is a 742-metre road leading directly to the Ram Mandir, connecting Shringar Ghat to Hanuman Garhi, and eventually to the temple itself. The road is lined with saffron-painted shops and homes, creating a striking visual appeal, and passes by landmarks like Kanak Bhawan and Dashrath Mahal.

In July, during the onset of the monsoon season, reports emerged that the roof of the newly constructed Ayodhya Ram Mandir began leaking, just five months after its grand inauguration. The chief priest of the temple, Acharya Satyendra Das, expressed his surprise at the situation, noting that despite the involvement of numerous engineers and the Pran Pratishtha ceremony held on January 22, the roof was not properly sealed.

“No one could have anticipated this,” he said

He added that the newly constructed temple lacks proper drainage, leading to water accumulation near the idol. “If the rain intensifies, offering prayers at the temple could become challenging,” he had said.

The Ram Temple, inaugurated on January 22, 2024, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is one of the most expensive religious projects in recent history. It was constructed at a cost of nearly Rs 1,800 crore.

The Pran Pratishtha ceremony, attended by approximately 7,000 people, including several high-profile figures, marked a significant milestone in the history of the iconic religious site.