First Prize Winner (₹2,00,000) – Global Design Competition for Ayodhya Mural & Abstract Art
Professor Manish Arora secured the First Prize of ₹2,00,000 in the prestigious Global Design Competition for Mural, Abstract Art and Sculpture organized by the Ayodhya Development Authority, Uttar Pradesh. The winning proposal presented a large-scale visual narrative for Ayodhya’s major ceremonial routes, combining abstract art, cultural storytelling, and contemporary public design.
The concept was developed around the emotional, spiritual, historical, and future identity of Ayodhya. Rather than using conventional illustrative imagery, the design employed abstract expressionism and mural-based visual language to create an immersive public experience that connects citizens, pilgrims, and visitors with the essence of Shri Ram and the city of Ayodhya.
The proposal envisioned a unified visual system across four important corridors of Ayodhya—Ram Path, Janmabhoomi Path, Bhakti Path, and Dharma Path. Each route was designed to narrate a distinct chapter of Ayodhya’s cultural and spiritual journey.
The mural concept highlighted themes such as:
The birth and life of Lord Rama
The great epic Ramayana
Devotion, sacrifice, and righteousness
The spiritual heritage of Ayodhya
The transformation of Ayodhya into a modern global destination
The coexistence of historical legacy and future aspirations
A key strength of the winning design was its practical implementation strategy. The murals were conceived using simple geometric forms, flat colors, and scalable visual elements, making them cost-effective, easy to execute, low-maintenance, and adaptable to various urban surfaces while retaining a strong visual identity.
This award-winning project demonstrates Professor Arora’s expertise in public art, visual communication, cultural branding, and design innovation. The proposal successfully translated the spirit of Ayodhya into a contemporary visual language capable of engaging audiences from around the world while preserving the city’s sacred heritage.
Achievement Highlights
First Prize Winner – Global Design Competition
Prize Amount: ₹2,00,000
Organized by Ayodhya Development Authority, Uttar Pradesh
Category: Mural, Abstract Art & Sculpture Design
Large-scale Urban Visual Identity Concept for Ayodhya
Integration of Heritage, Spirituality, Public Art and Contemporary Design
