Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday and presented him with a replica of the Shri Ram Temple crafted in Gulabi Meenakari.
According to an official statement from the Uttar Pradesh government, the temple replica was made by Gulabi Meenakari artisan Kunj Bihari Singh from Varanasi, which is also Prime Minister Modi’s parliamentary constituency. The artwork was completed in 108 days, and during this period, Ram Dhun was continuously chanted. The replica uses around two kilograms of silver and gold and is studded with diamonds. Its design includes motifs of Lord Ram, lotus flowers, and the bow and arrow, with diamonds placed on the four pinnacles. An internal lighting system has also been added. The number 108, which holds spiritual importance in the Sanatan tradition, was a central theme in the creation of the artwork.
Sharing details of the meeting on social media, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said he received guidance from the Prime Minister and expressed gratitude for his time, adding that Modi’s vision continues to energise the development journey of a new Uttar Pradesh.
Gulabi Meenakari is a traditional craft of Kashi that has received a Geographical Indication tag, officially recognising its unique identity. The Yogi Adityanath government has supported local artisans by including this craft under the One District One Product scheme. Through this initiative, artisans have received training, design support, and opportunities to showcase their work at government exhibitions and official events.
The history of Gulabi Meenakari dates back to the 16th century, when it became a signature art form of Kashi. The craft uses colours made from metal oxides and involves enamelling only on pure silver and gold. The process requires firing at very high temperatures, making it both complex and time-consuming. Artisan families have preserved this tradition for generations and continue to adapt it in modern times.
Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have used Gulabi Meenakari as part of cultural outreach. In the past, Prime Minister Modi gifted a Gulabi Meenakari chess set to former US Vice President Kamala Harris during his visit to the United States in 2021. Chief Minister Adityanath has also presented Gulabi Meenakari artworks to several prominent personalities, including Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, actor Rajinikanth, and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla.
