As Ayodhya gears up for the historic inauguration ceremony of the Ram Mandir on January 22, the nation is immersed in devotional fervour. Devotees from different parts of the country are making pilgrimages to Ayodhya to offer prayers to Lord Rama. Simultaneously, others showcase their devotion by making financial contributions to the ongoing temple construction.
However, the tension between the BJP-led central government and the opposition bloc INDIA over the issuance of invitations for the Pran Pratishtha of the grand Ram temple is escalating day by day. The Congress leadership has opted not to participate in the inauguration ceremony as some members perceive the event as a "political project" aimed at leveraging the religious sentiments of Hindus by the RSS-BJP.
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Several political leaders, including Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, and Uddhav Thackeray, have either declined the invitation or voiced discomfort about attending the inauguration ceremony. Banerjee earlier accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using the temple as an election gimmick. Notably, Thackeray, a key figure in the INDIA bloc, has not been extended an invitation.
Advani to attend consecration ceremony
Veteran BJP leader LK Advani is slated to attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, according to news agency ANI, citing a Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader. This decision is particularly noteworthy as Advani, 96, played a pivotal role in spearheading the Ram Janambhoomi movement, making his participation in the Ram Mandir 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony a moment of historical significance.
Delhi CM Kejriwal gets informal invite
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has reportedly received an informal letter informing him about the upcoming Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla. The letter suggested that he block his dates for the event, with a formal invitation and details expected to follow, news agency ANI reported, citing sources.
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Rajasthan contributes 2,100 drums of oil for Ayodhya's Sita Rasoi
Ahead of the consecration ceremony, religious organisations in Rajasthan have taken a proactive step by sending 2,100 drums of oil to the Sita Rasoi at the sacred site. This gesture highlights the collective effort to contribute to the preparations and rituals associated with the significant event, emphasising the widespread reverence and involvement of religious communities in the lead-up to this historic occasion.
Dehradun to Ayodhya bus service launched
The Uttarakhand Transport Corporation has launched a bus service from Dehradun to Ayodhya. This initiative is in line with the directives of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, showcasing proactive efforts to facilitate transportation for individuals intending to participate in the significant event.
As per an official release from the Uttarakhand CM’s office, the bus service will start its journey from Dehradun at 11:30 am, reaching Ayodhya at 5 am the following day. The return journey from Ayodhya is scheduled for 3 pm, with the bus returning to Dehradun at 8 am on the subsequent day.
Over 1,000 trains to ply to Ayodhya in first 100 days post inauguration of Ram temple
The Indian Railways has unveiled plans to operate over 1,000 trains from various parts of the country to Ayodhya during the initial 100 days following the inauguration of the newly constructed Ram Mandir. This extensive rail service aims to accommodate the surge in demand, with operations set to commence from January 19, just a few days before the grand inauguration ceremony. The intention is to facilitate the travel of pilgrims to the holy city and back.
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Furthermore, the temple is scheduled to be open to the public from January 23, a day following the consecration of the idol of Lord Rama.
Ahmedabad to Ayodhya: Inaugural flight takes off
In a symbolic and festive display, as the inaugural flight to Ayodhya took off from Ahmedabad in Gujarat, a group of passengers arrived at the airport dressed as characters from the epic Ramayana, including Lord Ram, Lakshman, Sita, and Hanuman.
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