Unsung hero of Ramayana, a squirrel sculpture to convey railway’s message of commitment and devotion at Ayodhya Dham Junction

Taking inspiration from the unsung heroes of Ramayana to convey the message of commitment and devotion, the Lucknow division of Northern Railway will soon be unveiling a 15-foot tall Corten steel squirrel at the atrium centre space of Ayodhya Dham junction.

Lord Rama needed to build a bridge across the sea to Lanka to rescue his wife Sita. Lord Rama being Maryada Purushottam (the most noble man), and revered by one and all, and Sita being the daughter of Bhumi Devi, all creatures wanted to help in this huge task. Lord Hanuman and all the others in Rama’s vanara (monkey) army carried the largest boulders and rocks. All the smaller creatures helped too, even squirrels.

One squirrel was carrying pebbles when a monkey asked what he was doing there and shouted at him to get out of the way. The squirrel said he was carrying pebbles to build Lord Rama’s bridge. The monkey laughed at the squirrel as if to say, “What can you do, you tiny squirrel?” But it was the pebbles that filled in the gaps between the boulders that made the bridge strong. Lord Rama lifted the little squirrel, thanked him for all his hard work, and blessed him by stroking his back.

And even today squirrels in South India have dark stripes on their backs.

“Like that squirrel, the Indian railways too is making efforts round the clock to make its small contribution in nation building and for the pilgrims and passengers of Ayodhya. That’s why we choose squirrel, which conveys a railway message of commitment and devotion,” said Rekha Sharma, senior divisional commercial manager of the Lucknow division.