A ‘Bhumi Pujan’ was performed and foundation stone was laid down Wednesday for the eight-inch Ram Lalla statue, the temple for which is being constructed on the lines of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir, in Murshidabad.

The foundation stone was laid down in Alankar village under Sagardighi assembly in the district. “The Bhumi Pujan was done at the site of Ram Mandir. We laid the foundation stone of the temple today (Wednesday). Ram Lala Idol was brought,” said Bongiyo Ram Sevak Parishad Charitable Trust president Ambikananda Maharaj.

The Trust members claimed that at least 5,000 people took part in the event.

“We have got a total of 9.5 cottah of land in the village (for the construction of the temple) through donations. We may also get the surrounding area spanning 1.5 bigha through donations. The temple will be an exact replica of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya though smaller in size,” said the Trust president.

The Trust members are yet to finalise the completion date of the temple as it depends upon the donation of land, said sources.

“We plan to have a guest house and an orphanage along with the Ram Mandir,” added Maharaj.

According to the Trust members, for the Bhumi Pujan, an eight-inch Ram Lalla statue made of “ashtadhatu” and hailing from Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham was brought from Kolkata and worshipped at the site. The final temple will also have Goddess Durga idols among other deities, said sources.

Last year, in November, communal clashes had erupted in Murshidabad’s Beldanga with the administration clamping prohibitory orders and internet ban.

Following the clashes, Bharatpur Trinamool Congress MLA, Humayun Kabir, announced construction of Babri Masjid replica in the district, adding that a Trust will be set up for the same in February. Later, Hindu outfits announced they will build a replica of Ram Mandir in the district.