Oyo founder Ritesh Agarwal visits Puri Jagannath Temple: 'Next stop is Ayodhya'

In a video message, Ritesh Agarwal promised to share updates of his journey to Ayodhya and of the consecration ceremony at the Ram Mandir. (Image credit: @riteshagar/X)

Joining ranks with other business leaders who have been heading off to Ayodhya for the Ram Mandir inauguration, Oyo founder Ritesh Agarwal kicked off his pilgrimage with the Jagannath temple in Puri.

Agarwal, who hails from Odisha, said that he wanted to start the "holy week" with the blessings of Lord Jagannath.

"Kickstarting this holy week with a visit to the Puri Jagannath Temple. Next stop is Ayodhya. I will be sharing more updates along the way. Jai Jagannath," the Oyo founder and CEO wrote on X.

Kickstarting this holy week with a visit to the Puri Jagannath Temple. Next stop is Ayodhya. I will be sharing more updates along the way. Jai Jagannath. pic.twitter.com/ejwLmWjXg8

— Ritesh Agarwal (@riteshagar) January 21, 2024

In a video message, Ritesh Agarwal promised to share updates on his journey to Ayodhya and the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple.

Among other industry leaders visiting the holy city are Zoho founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu, Bharti Enterprises Chairperson Sunil Mittal, and vice-chairperson of Apollo Hospitals, Preetha Reddy.

Vembu also shared updates from his visit to Ayodhya. He said that his mother is an ardent devotee of Lord Ram.

"In Ayodhya with my amma Janaki and my brother Kumar and his wife Anu. Amma is a life-long devotee of Lord Shri Ram. Very blessed to be here. Jai Shri Ram," he wrote in a post on X and shared pictures from the visit.

In Ayodhya with my amma Janaki and my brother Kumar and his wife Anu. Amma is a life-long devotee of Lord Shri Ram. Very blessed to be here. Jai Shri Ram pic.twitter.com/gwFIE8mZJb — Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) January 21, 2024

Despite the profound significance of the consecration ceremony, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the temple administration are making appeals to devotees, urging them not to travel to Ayodhya on the specified day due to the anticipated large crowd.