Pune-based educationist offers to build world class all-faith structure in Ayodhya

With Ram Janamboomi-Babri Masjid dispute once again taking centre stage, a Pune-based educationist has offered to build a world class multi-religious complex at the site to cater to all religions. Chairman of Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT) Peace University Dr Vishwanath Karad, who himself is a designer, has also petitioned the Supreme Court to admit him as a party in order to present his suggestions to amicably settle the century-old dispute between the two communities. At a time when Viswa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and even many government functionaries are demanding construction of Ram temple ahead of 2019 elections, the move assumes considerable significance.

Karad, who is holding a round-table meeting here on Monday with religious leaders as well as government officials, is offering to build a Viswadharmi Sriram Manavatha Bhavan — that includes an idol of Lord Ram at the centre and nine structures belonging to different religions radiating on different directions on the 67-acre land acquired by the government three decades ago to showcase 'sadbhavana' of ancient Indian culture. The complex to use Makrana marble in its construction will cost Rs 2,200 crore, according to Karad.

The Pune educationist said he had been working on to evolve a solution to the vexed issue in a way that there is no sense of defeat to any party. He claims to have discussed the issue with Ram Vilas Vedanti, former executive president of Ramjanambhoomi Nyas, Shia leader Syed Kalbe Rasheed Rizvi and other leaders. Karad said he got enthusiastic since a Vedanti, perceived as a hardliner agreed to the suggestion of making Ayodhya and the disputed site an "all-religion worship place".

Karad has set up five universities in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh with several colleges and institutions. This also includes MIT Peace University, which will house largest brick and mortar dome in the world. The dome, spread across 160 feet in diametre and is 190-foot high, will cover a 65,000-square feet complex. As of now, the Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy, has the largest octagonal brick and mortar dome in the world. Like the planning, design, calculations, and construction of this dome has been done by the professors, engineers, architects, artisans and students of MIT, he offers the expertise to build structures at Ayodhya as well.

In an affidavit filed before the apex court, Karad has presented architectural features called 'Temple of Humanity' or Viswadharmi Sriram Manavatha Bhavan , which will give equal space to all the eight (8) major religions. The design envisages a huge central dome of about 360 ft. diameter covering a circular central World Peace Prayer Hall. At the centre of the hall is statute of Lord Ram. Eight places of worship in eight directions radiate around the perimeter of the Central World Peace Prayer Hall. The radiating structures will include a Mosque' along with a "Holy Quran Dnyan Bhavan" representing Islam, Church' along with a "Holy Bible Dnyan Bhavan", Vihar' along with a "Holy Dhammapad Dnyan Bhavan" representing Buddhism, Dehrasar' along with "Holy Agam Dnyan Bhavan" representing Jainism, Synagogue' along with "Holy Torah Dnyan Bhavan" representing Jewism, Agiary' along with "Holy Avestha Dnyan Bhavan" representing Zoroastrianism, Gurudwara' along with "Holy Shri Guru Granth Saheb Dnyan Bhavan" and also a structure to represent Bahai, Tao, Shinto, Zen, Confucian etc. It is estimated that the distance between each religious place of worship around the perimeter of the Central World Peace Prayer Hall will not be less than 450-500 feet