An elderly Indian artisan famous for his handmade locks has made a name for himself after he forged a 400 kg padlock for the upcoming Ram Mandir festival in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya city.
Hailing from Aligarh district, Satya Prakash Sharma and his wife, Rukmani, took months to prepare the “world’s largest handmade lock” that cost him INR 200,000 ($2,418).
The lock is ten feet high, 4.5 feet wide, and 9.5 inches thick with a four-foot key.
The couple plans to gift it to Ram temple authorities later this year, after finishing the final touches and minor modifications.
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust officials told Indian media that they are receiving offerings from scores of devotees of Lord Ram, and they will have to see where the lock can be used.
Sharma, whose family has made locks for over a century, has been into hand-making locks for over 45 years.
He displayed his latest giant production at the annual Aligarh exhibition earlier this year.