Ayodhya (UP): Veteran leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, key figures in the Ram temple agitation in Ayodhya, are unlikely to attend the consecration ceremony next month due to health and age considerations, as stated by the Ram Temple Trust in Ayodhya on Monday.
Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Ram Temple Trust, informed reporters that, given their advanced age, both Advani and Joshi were respectfully requested not to attend, a request which they accepted. The consecration ceremony, scheduled for January 22, is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Preparations for the ceremony are in full swing, with completion scheduled for January 15. The ‘praan pratistha’ puja will commence on January 16 and continue until January 22.
Providing a detailed list of invitees, Rai mentioned that Advani and Joshi may not be present due to health and age-related concerns. Advani is currently 96 years old, while Joshi will turn 90 next month.
A three-member team has been formed to invite former Prime Minister Deve Gowda to the ceremony. Shankaracharyas from six ancient schools, around 150 saints and sages, and approximately 4,000 saints and 2,200 other guests have been invited.
Notable personalities like the Dalai Lama, Mata Amritanandamayi, Rajnikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, Arun Govil, and industrialists such as Mukesh Ambani have also received invitations.
Following the consecration ceremony, ‘mandal puja’ will be conducted from January 24 for 48 days, and the temple will be open to devotees on January 23.
Arrangements for guest accommodations have been made at various locations in Ayodhya, including more than 600 rooms provided by monasteries, temples, and households. The Ayodhya Municipal Corporation is also preparing for the event, setting up facilities such as fibre toilets and changing rooms for devotees at designated locations. Additionally, the ‘Ram Katha Kunj’ corridor will be constructed in the Ram Janmabhoomi complex, showcasing tableaux depicting 108 events from Lord Ram’s life.
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