BJP Veteran LK Advani To Skip Ram Mandir 'Pran Pratishtha' Ceremony Due To Cold Weather

Veteran BJP leader LK Advani is going to miss the 'pran pratishtha' ceremony for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya today owing to harsh winter conditions.

Lal Krishna Advani, a veteran BJP politician who led the campaign for the Ram Mandir movement in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, would skip today's 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony owing to the freezing weather. The 96-year-old BJP veteran's appearance was met with much skepticism. The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, or Ram Mandir trust, has previously stated that LK Advani and his senior party colleague Murli Manohar Joshi are unlikely to attend the 'Pran Pratistha' owing to their health and age.

Earlier this month, the Vishwa Hindu Parsihad announced that it had invited BJP heavyweights Lal Krishna Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi to attend the Ram Temple's consecration event. The decision came after an uproar over Ram Temple Trust general secretary Champat Rai's comment that both leaders were 'requested' not to attend the event due to their advanced age.

"Invited respected Lal Krishna Advani ji and respected Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi ji, the pioneer of Ram Mandir movement, to attend the Pran Pratishtha program of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on 22 January 2024," said the right wing outfit in a post on X after BJP suffered backlash following Rai's statement. 

"Both the seniors said they will make every effort to come," said Alok Kumar, VHP's International Executive President. 

Previously, Champat Rai told reporters, "Both are elders of the family and considering their age, they were requested not to come, which was accepted by both."

Meanwhile, Ayodhya has been decorated with flowers, lamps, and Lord Ram banners as the countdown to Ram Lalla's spectacular 'Pran Pratistha' at the Ram Mandir begins today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the 'Pran Pratistha' ceremonies at Ayodhya today. Security has been reinforced, with 13,000 personnel deployed, including anti-bomb teams and snipers. A squad from the NDRF has set up camp near Ayodhya's Ram Mandir shrine.

Cold Day Conditions Predicted In Ayodhya On Consecration Day

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported foggy weather in Ayodhya and surrounding regions on Monday morning, with cool day conditions expected throughout the day, news agency PTI reported. According to the Met Office, thin fog hampered visibility to 1,000 metres till 9 a.m.

According to the meteorological bureau, Ayodhya will see 'cold day' conditions on Monday, with the highest temperature forecast to be about 15 to 17 degrees Celsius. The "Pran Pratishtha" ritual will begin at 12.20pm and is slated to conclude at 1pm. The prime minister will next speak to a crowd of about 7,000 individuals, including seers and famous figures, at the location.