Surat Diamond Tycoon Donates Opulent Jewels to Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir; VHP Lauds Gesture as Act of Devotion
By Tajdar H. Zaidi
Ayodhya
In a striking display of devotion and generosity, Mukesh Patel, a prominent diamond merchant from Gujarat, has made a grand donation of lavish ornaments and religious artefacts to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya.
Patel, the proprietor of Surat-based luxury jewellery firm Green Lab, has gifted a series of intricately crafted items, including diamond-studded crowns, gold and silver ornaments, and ceremonial weapons intended for the deities at the Ram Temple, according to senior functionaries of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).
The donation, which was formally handed over this week, is being described as one of the most significant contributions of its kind in terms of both spiritual value and material worth.
Speaking to the media, Dinesh Newadia, national treasurer of the VHP, provided a detailed breakdown of the items donated. “Mukesh Patel has donated 11 crowns, each intricately designed and encrusted with diamonds and rubies, along with 30 kilograms of silver, 300 grams of gold, and numerous precious stones,” said Newadia.
Beyond the crowns meant for Lord Ram and his divine entourage, the donation also includes an extensive collection of religious ornaments and symbolic items meant for temple rituals.
These include necklaces, earrings, forehead tilaks, as well as weaponry and regalia that are key to the iconography of Lord Ram and his brothers.
Among them are four large and three small bows—symbolizing Lord Ram and his brothers from the Ramayana—four quivers, three maces, and ornate fly whisks used during rituals.
In a move befitting the grandeur of the donation, the entire consignment of jewellery and ornaments was airlifted via a special chartered aircraft from Surat to Ayodhya.
This special arrangement, officials noted, underlined not only the logistical complexity but also the reverence attached to the offerings. The charter flight ensured both security and sanctity of the valuable items as they were transported to their spiritual destination.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which is tasked with overseeing the construction and decoration of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, has been the recipient of numerous donations from across India since the temple project gained momentum.
However, this donation stands out due to its magnitude, craftsmanship, and the intent behind it—a deeply personal act of faith and homage by a devotee-entrepreneur from Gujarat.
The announcement comes close on the heels of the second major consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple, held on Thursday, when the deity was ceremonially installed in his royal form as ‘Raja Ram’.
The event marked the installation of idols in eight newly constructed temples within the Ram Janmabhoomi complex.
The ceremony was attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and drew devotees and dignitaries from across the country.
This follows the earlier historic consecration of Ram Lalla on January 22, 2024, in a grand event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which formally marked the spiritual and cultural rebirth of the long-awaited Ram Mandir at the birthplace of Lord Ram.
With each passing milestone, the Ram Janmabhoomi project continues to inspire acts of faith and devotion from citizens across India.
Donations such as that of Mukesh Patel underscore the deep cultural and religious significance that the Ram Temple holds for millions, while also highlighting the intricate blend of tradition, opulence, and modern devotion that defines the contemporary Hindu spiritual landscape.
As construction of the temple nears completion, the integration of such richly symbolic offerings adds to the temple’s stature, not just as a place of worship, but as a historic symbol of collective aspiration and spiritual identity.
