Mysuru, 25 March 

Sculptor Arun Yogiraj, who made the Ram Lalla idol for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir has created a miniature version of the deity. He shared the image on X, garnering widespread acclaim and admiration.

Yogiraj said that he sculpted the "small Ram Lalla Murthy" during his leisure time in Ayodhya, following the completion of the main idol.

Crafted from a white stone, distinct from the black stone used for the original idol, the miniature young Ram Lalla idol exudes a lifelike charm, embodying the features of its larger counterpart. Despite its diminutive size, the idol retains the intricate details of the main idol.

A scion of a distinguished lineage of sculptors, Yogiraj's artistic journey began in Mysore, where he honed his skills under the guidance of his forebears. Following his MBA degree from Mysore University, Yogiraj returned to his roots, channelling his passion for sculpting into a prolific career marked by numerous iconic creations.

Among his notable works are the towering 12-foot idol of Adi Shankaracharya in Kedarnath, the majestic statue of Subhash Chandra Bose near India Gate in Delhi, and the revered 21-foot Hanuman statue in Chunchanakatte, Mysore district. Additionally, Yogiraj's portfolio boasts impressive sculptures including a 15-foot Dr BR Ambedkar statue, Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa in Mysuru, and a six-foot-high single-stone Nandi.