As the countdown to the opening ceremony of the Ram Temple progresses, a significant contribution has been made from Aligarh to Ayodhya. On Friday, a 400 kg lock, recognized as the world’s largest, was transported from Aligarh to Ayodhya.
Mahamandaleshwar Annapurna Bharti Puri, a resident of Norangabad, Aligarh, performed rituals before embarking on the journey to Ayodhya with the lock. A crane was employed to carefully place the substantial lock, crafted by an elderly artisan named Satya Prakash Sharma and his wife Rukmini Sharma from Aligarh, renowned for their handmade locks. Tragically, Satya Prakash Sharma, who had envisioned gifting the lock to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, passed away recently.
Despite the challenges, Mahamandaleshwar Annapurna Bharti Puri emphasized the dedication put into completing the world’s largest lock. Puri expressed, “Satya Prakash Sharma died before completing the lock, but we got it completed by working day and night.” She believes that this achievement will elevate Aligarh’s global recognition in the lock industry.
Quoting the honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who refers to Aligarh as “Talanagari” (the city of locks), Puri highlighted the intention behind presenting the colossal lock to Lord Ram. The goal is to showcase Aligarh on an international stage, with visitors to Ayodhya from across the country and the world appreciating this remarkable creation. Puri believes that this initiative will not only enhance the lock manufacturing industry in Aligarh but also provide an economic boost to the city.
In response to the development, Hindu Mahasabha National Spokesperson Ashok Pandey took a dig at the opposition. He asserted that the massive lock symbolizes silencing the voices of opposition leaders who questioned the construction of the Ram Mandir, labeling it as an empty election agenda. Pandey added that the lock serves to address concerns about when and how the Ram Mandir would be built.