Ram Temple Consecration Ceremony: Notable Absence of BJP Veterans Due to Health Reasons
Preparations for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya are in full swing, with the event scheduled for January 22. However, BJP stalwarts L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, prominent figures in the Ram temple agitation, are unlikely to attend the ceremony due to health and age considerations, according to Ram Temple Trust general secretary Champat Rai.
Both are elders of the family, and considering their age, they were requested not to come, which was accepted by both, stated Rai during a press briefing.
Advani, now 96, and Joshi, who will turn 90 next month, played pivotal roles in the Ram temple movement. The consecration ceremony is expected to be graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and preparations are scheduled to conclude by January 15. The ‘praan pratistha’ puja is set to commence on January 16, continuing until January 22.
A three-member team has been designated to extend invitations to former Prime Minister Deve Gowda. The ceremony will witness the participation of Shankaracharyas from six ancient schools and approximately 150 saints and sages.
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About 4,000 saints and 2,200 other guests have been invited to the ceremony. Notable personalities invited include spiritual leaders Dalai Lama and Mata Amritanandamayi, yoga guru Baba Ramdev, cine stars Rajnikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, Arun Govil, film director Madhur Bhandarkar, and prominent industrialists Mukesh Ambani, Anil Ambani, along with other distinguished personalities.
Following the consecration ceremony, ‘mandal puja’ will be conducted from January 24 for 48 days, adhering to ritual traditions. The temple will open for devotees on January 23.
To accommodate the influx of guests, arrangements have been made at various places in Ayodhya, with over 600 rooms provided by monasteries, temples, and households. Ayodhya Municipal Corporation authorities are gearing up for the event, ensuring facilities like fibre toilets and changing rooms for devotees. Additionally, plans for constructing the ‘Ram Katha Kunj’ corridor in the Ram Janmabhoomi complex, showcasing tableaux depicting 108 events from Lord Ram’s life, are underway.