In a proud moment for Odisha, the intricately woven Khandua Pata, crafted by handloom weavers from Tigiria Nuapatna in Cuttack, adorned the stone idol of Lord Ram in the newly inaugurated Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22. This special Ahimsa ‘Khandua Pata’ holds significance as it features verses from the famous epic poem “Ramcharita Manas,” based on the Ramayana, and is made from Eri silk. Permission to create this unique cloth was granted by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. A team of seven to eight weavers dedicated 15 days to meticulously craft this special Khandua Pata. Before making its journey to Ayodhya, the sacred cloth was worshipped at the Ram Mandir in Bhubaneswar.

According to sources, Lord Ram wore the Khandua Pata the day after the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. The initiative was undertaken with the support and permission of Champat Rai, the general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The weavers shared their enthusiasm, stating that they were informed the Pata would be draped on the idol on January 23, following their arrival in Ayodhya on January 19. The Khandua Pata, crafted through non-violent means with Eri silk, reflects the rich cultural heritage of Odisha and showcases the dedication of the weavers in contributing to the auspicious occasion of the Ram Temple inauguration in Ayodhya.