VHP extends the formal invitation to Advani and Joshi for the dedication of the Ram temple
The invitation came after the temple trust advised the two senior leaders against attending the dedication event due to age and health considerations. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) president Alok Kumar said in Delhi that both the BJP veterans said they will do their best to attend the January 22 event.
Ayodhya: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Tuesday officially extended invitations to former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani and former Union Minister Murli Manohar Joshi for the upcoming consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya scheduled for next month, according to a report that is covered by news agency IANS.
The invitation came after the temple trust advised the two senior leaders against attending the dedication event due to age and health considerations. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) president Alok Kumar said in Delhi that both the BJP veterans said they will do their best to attend the January 22 event.
Pioneers of the Ram Mandir Movement
“The pioneers of the Ram Mandir movement, Advani ji and Murli Manohar Joshi ji, were invited to attend the consecration ceremony. Both said they will try their best to come,” VHP president Alok Kumar said of X. Advani, 96, and Joshi, who will celebrate his 90th birthday next month, played a crucial role in the Ram temple movement.
This move eventually led to the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment on November 9, 2019, favoring the Hindu side in the long-standing title dispute. The court ordered allotment of the disputed land to a trust for construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Champat Rai, general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, said: “Both are elders in the (Sangh) family and considering their age, they have been asked not to come to Ayodhya for the inauguration event. Both accepted our request.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the event at the temple on January 22.
Extensive preparations are underway
Extensive preparations are being made for this important event, which is expected to attract dignitaries and individuals from different backgrounds. Champat Rai said a total of 13 Akharas, including 150 sages and saints from different traditions and Shankaracharyas from six philosophical traditions, will participate in the grand event. He further informed us that heads of major temples like Kashi Vishwanath and Vaishnodevi, as well as representatives of religious and constitutional institutions, have also been invited.
“Spiritual guru Dalai Lama, Mata Amritanandamayi from Kerala, yoga expert Baba Ramdev, actors Rajnikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, Arun Govil (who played Lord Ram in the television series ‘Ramayana’), filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar and leading industrialists Mukesh Ambani Anil Ambani, famous painter Vasudev Kamat, ISRO director Nilesh Desai and many other well-known personalities will also be present at the dedication ceremony,” he added.
At the same time, common people will be able to have a darshan (sighting) of Lord Ram from January 23. Proper arrangements have been made for the guests to stay at more than three places in Ayodhya made available by various monasteries, temples and house families.
(With input from agencies)