- Tuesday, February 25, 2025
The PM has been observing a strict 11-day religious ritual and also visited a number of temple in southern India in the run-up to the consecration ceremony.
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi reached the north Indian temple town of Ayodhya by air on Monday (22) around 11 am local time to take part in the inauguration of the Ram temple. The leader is expected to reach the venue in a helicopter from Ayodhya airport and preside over the consecration ceremony that is scheduled to kick off at 12.20 pm local time and conclude by 1 pm.
Modi has been observing a strict 11-day religious ritual and also visited a number of temple in southern India in the run-up to the consecration ceremony.
He was also set to address a gathering later in the day, a statement from his office read.
“The historic pran pratishtha ceremony will be attended by representatives of all major spiritual and religious sects of the country. People from all walks of life including representatives of various tribal communities will also attend the ceremony,” the statement read.
Read: Indian president Murmu writes to Modi ahead of Ram Mandir inauguration
The PM will also interact with labourers who have been constructing the temple and pay a visit to Kuber Tila, where the ancient temple of Hindu god Lord Shiva was restored, and offer prayers.
Read: Ram temple: The beginning of new-age tourism in India
The event, which saw the assembly of several thousands of prominent personalities from across various fields besides common people, will also be celebrated across the nation as well as abroad. The occasion has also been hailed as Diwali — the Hindu festival of light — the festivities that marked the homecoming of Lord Ram after he won the battle with demon king Ravana. Temples and houses across the country were decorated with festive lighting ahead of the ceremony.
Actors such as Amitabh Bachchan; actor couples Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt; Kangana Ranaut; industrialists such as Mukesh Ambani, his son Akash Ambani, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Kumar Mangalam Birla and others; former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar; ace badminton player Saina Nehwal were among the many celebrities who reached Ayodhya for the mega event.
Various leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh have been camping out of Ayodhya for the occasion. Modi recently inaugurated an airport in Ayodhya and a revamped railway station, boosting connectivity to the once sleepy town. Hotels and guest houses have also mushroomed in the town, putting it on the way to becoming an economic hotspot.
