An elderly artisan from Aligarh, which is known for its handmade locks, has created a 400 kg lock for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, which is set to open to devotees in January of next year.
Satya Prakash Sharma, an enthusiastic devotee of Lord Ram, worked for months to create the “world’s largest handmade lock,” which he wants to present to Ram temple authorities later this year.
Officials from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust said they are receiving offerings from a large number of devotees and have to decide where the lock can be used.
Taala Nagari for over 45 years
Sharma said that his family has been creating handmade locks for over a century, while he has been hammering, grinding, and shining locks in Aligarh, also known as ‘taala nagri’ for over 45 years.
Mr. Sharma claimed he designed the massive lock, which is 10 feet high, 4.5 feet wide, and 9.5 inches thick, with a four-foot key, with the Ram Temple in mind.
It was a “labour of love” for me while my wife, Rukmani, too helped me in this arduous venture, Mr. Sharma said.
“Earlier we had made a 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide lock but some people suggested making a bigger lock so we started working on it,” Ms. Rukmani said, adding that final touches are being given to the lock.
The lock was given earlier this year at the annual Aligarh exhibition, and Mr. Sharma, who is working making minor changes and embellishments to his invention, said he wants it to be perfect.
Mr. Sharma estimates that the lock cost him roughly 2 lakh, and he has willingly invested his life money into making his dream project a reality.
“As I’ve been in the lock-making business for decades, I thought of making a giant lock for the temple as our city is known for locks and no one has done anything like this before,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ram Mandir Trust General Secretary Champat Rai announced on Friday that the temple trust will hold the consecration ceremony at Ram Mandir on January 21, 22, and 23 of next year, adding that an invitation will be given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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