The Ramatheertham temple in Vizianagaram has received new idols of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, which will be consecrated in a special event on January 28, according to reports. The idols were carved at Tirumala by the SV Institute of Traditional Sculpture and Architecture and brought to the Ramatheertham temple on Saturday.

The idols arrived in Vizianagaram in a special container amidst security and handed over to the regional Joint Commissioner of the AP Endowments Department, D Bramaramba. All three idols were taken into the temple in a special procession. For the next three days, from January 25 to 28, special pujas will be offered by 18 priests, said temple officials.

In December 2020, unidentified miscreants had entered the temple by breaking open the lock and damaged the 400-year-old idol of Lord Rama. The head of the idol was recovered in a nearby pond and the police had arrested five suspects. The TDP and BJP had staged a massive protest questioning why the YSRCP government could not stop attacks on temples. The Andhra government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the case and also announced funds of Rs 3 crore to develop temples at Ramatheertham.

The temple authorities had then requested the Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams for new idols. According to reports, the new idol of Lord Rama is three feet tall while that of Sita and Lakshmana are two feet each. All the idols have been carved from Krishna Sila granite stone, the same material used for the old idols at the temple.

Acharyulu Sai Ram, the main Archak of the Ramatheertham temple, speaking to the media said, “We're thankful to the government for the new idols. These idols initially would be placed at the Balalayam and later on after the completion of the construction of the temple, they would be taken to the main temple.”

According to reports, high-level security arrangements will be made on the day of the installation of the statues, when higher officials such as the District Collector and the Superintendent of Police will be present along with others.