New Delhi: The construction of grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya is in final stages and preparations for its consecration ceremony has got underway. Invites are being sent out to prominent dignitaries from all walks of life while the temple prepares itself to open for devotees.
About 8,000 invites have been sent to at 8,000 people including leading sportspersons, industrialists, businessmen, saints, those from entertainment industry and many more.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP CM Yogi Adityanath would be leading the pran pratistha or consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024, along with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Arun Govil and Dipika Chikhila, who played Ram and Sita respectively in the popular TV ‘Ramayana’ are likely to gather all the attention during the consecration ceremony.
Sportspersons to industrialists to saints
The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra has sent invitations to leading businessmen of the country including Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani and Ratan Tata. Cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli are among many sportsmen to be invited while Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar features on the list of entertainment guests.
VIDEO | The process of distributing invitation letters for the consecration ceremony of ‘Ram Lalla’ in Ayodhya has started.
Ayodhya Ram Temple consecration ceremony is scheduled to take place on January 22, 2024.#AyodhyaRamTemple pic.twitter.com/fD83VYl54X
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 2, 2023
A leading portal, quoting VHP functionary, said that out of 8,000 invites, 2,000 have been sent to VVIP personalities while the rest 6,000 have been given to religious leaders from across the country.
The VVIP personalities include former civil servants, retired Army officers, musicians, poets and Padma awardees.
Families of karsevaks invited’
The families of karsevaks form a notable chunk of the invitees. A portal quoting VHP functionaries said that families of 50 karsevaks, who died in 1990 police firing, have been invited for the consecretion ceremony. Notably, the VHP will also look after their fooding & lodging during their stay in Ayodhya.
Invites are being sent via post and WhatsApp to saints, priests, shankaracharyas, religious leaders and VVIPs.
Festive celebration for Consecration ceremony
Uttar Pradesh govt has geared up to develop a festive environment, in the run –up to the grand consecration ceremony. Tourism Minister Jaiver Singh told media that it will no less than a festival in the state.
“To mark the occasion, recitation of Ram Charitmanas and Hanuman Chalisa will be held at all prestigious temples and ‘muths’, he said.
These recitation of Chalisa will begin from Makar Sankranti on January 14 and continue till consecration of Ramlala on January 22.
Where to watch consecration ceremony LIVE
While VVIPs along with thousands of saints will make a beeline for the Ayodhya temple on January 22, it will have the attention of the nation, who will be eager to watch the LIVE proceedings.
Good news is that the state broadcaster Doordarshan will do LIVE telecast of the consecration ceremony at Ram Temple.
