In Ayodhya, a temple is rising, not just as a place of worship but as a fusion of ancient faith and modern science.

The construction of the Ram Mandir, a grand structure dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Rama, is set to be consecrated on January 22.

The temple is a marvel of modern engineering, designed not to just withstand the strongest earthquakes and most intense flooding, but endure for a millennium.

Constructed by Larsen and Toubro with management by Tata Consulting Engineers Limited, the Ram Temple is a result of meticulous planning and innovative construction techniques.

The temple's design, inspired by traditional Nagara style architecture, incorporates 360 pillars and is made entirely of stone, moving away from the more modern iron, steel, or even cement.

This decision was made to enhance the structure's earthquake resistance, as stone has a longer lifespan and better durability compared to other materials.

One of the most significant scientific innovations in the temple's construction is its foundation. The temple is built on a 15-meter thick layer of rolled compacted concrete, which includes 56 layers of compacted concrete made from fly ash, dust, and chemicals.

This robust base is further reinforced by a 21-foot thick plinth of granite, designed to protect the temple from moisture. The foundation's pillars are likened to those supporting mammoth bridges over mighty rivers, ensuring the temple's robustness against seismic activity.

The construction process also involved unique challenges, such as maintaining the temperature of self-compacting concrete at 18 degrees below ambient temperature during pouring. To achieve this, on-site ice crushing plants were utilised, and the foundation was filled only at night to minimise the impact of external temperatures.

These measures were part of the many innovations that marked the construction of the temple, which required the expertise of a team of 150 engineers and thousands of workers.