Invitation cards for the consecration of Ayodhya’s Ram Temple are now being distributed, and the ceremony will take place on January 22, 2024. Preparations are in full swing for the consecration ceremony of the life-sized idol of Lord Rama in the Ram Temple, being organised by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
Industrialist Mukesh Ambani, Ratan Tata, Gautam Adani, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, ace batsman Virat Kohli, and legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan are among the distinguished individuals who have received invitations for the pran pratishtha or consecration of the idol of Ram Lalla at the temple in Ayodhya. Invitations for the consecration ceremony have been dispatched by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to 7,000 individuals, with 3,000 designated as VVIPs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone in August 2020, making him the first recipient of an invitation to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. He is expected to participate in the ceremony alongside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Mohan Bhagwat, the head of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The Pran Pratishtha ceremony, set to take place from 11 am to 2 pm, will officially conclude after the prime minister’s departure, necessitating all participants remain until then. As a precautionary security measure, organisers have instructed attendees not to bring cell phones to the event, as per trust officials.
Amidst these developments, Champat Rai, the General Secretary of the Trust, conveyed on the official account, “We cannot predict whether 25,000 or 25 lakh people will gather in Ayodhya on January 22. Nevertheless, we urge individuals to visit Ayodhya after January 22. Celebrate in your respective locations, engage in bhajans, mark the festival, and adorn the entrances of your homes with lamps.”
Invitations have been extended to the family members of the 50 kar sevaks who lost their lives during the Ram temple movement. Judges, scientists, writers, and poets have also received invitations for the event.
Last week, a budget of ₹25 lakhs was allocated to the Tourism and Culture department for engaging with the public through influencers and various social media channels.
The Principal Secretary of the Tourism and Culture Ministry said his organisation has reached out to influencers on social media platforms with a wide reach, including Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube for prospective collaboration.
Actors Arun Govil and Dipika Chikhlia, renowned for portraying the roles of Lord Ram in the acclaimed TV serial “Ramayan,” have received invitations for the ceremony. Additionally, saints, priests, shankaracharyas, religious leaders, former civil servants, retired Army officers, lawyers, musicians, and Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardees, have also been extended invitations.
Invitations are being sent through conventional mail, along with PDF versions distributed via WhatsApp. Furthermore, the Trust will furnish a link on guests’ mobile phones to generate an entry pass for the venue. The Trust has emphasised that all invitees carry their Aadhar cards for entry.
The religious committee of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will finalise the selection of the idol on December 15, according to sources. The sculptors responsible for crafting the idols are Ganesh Bhatt, Arun Yogiraj, and Satyanarayan Pandey.
In addition, a handicrafts facility in Prayagraj has secured orders for one lakh miniature models of the Ram temple crafted from pinewood board using laser-cutting techniques. These temple models are intended for use as decorative and gift items by individuals.
