'Not Anti-Modi, But...': All Shankaracharyas To Skip Ram Temple Inauguration. Here's Why

Ram Mandir inauguration: Joshimath Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati said he is not anti-Modi, but he thinks the temple authorities are not adhering to the proper decorum.

All four Shankaracharyas, who preside over the major Hindu shrines known as 'peeths', have decided to not attend the inauguration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22. The Shankaracharyas lead the shrines located in Joshimath (Uttarakhand), Dwarka (Gujarat), Puri (Odisha), and Sringeri (Karnataka), all established by the eighth-century religious scholar Adi Shankaracharya.

In a video shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on January 9, Joshimath Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati stressed the duty of the Shankaracharyas to ensure the proper adherence to religious scriptures. He said that none of the four pontiffs would be present in Ayodhya on January 22 due to concerns that the temple's consecration was taking place before the completion of its construction.

He stated, "The scriptures are being undermined by carrying out consecration before the construction of the temple is complete. There is no reason for this rush." This unexpected move has sparked discussions within the community, raising questions about the adherence to traditional practices in the monumental event set to take place in Ayodhya.

Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the 46th Shankaracharya of the Jyotir Mutt, clarified in his video that the collective decision of the four Shankaracharyas should not be interpreted as being "anti-Modi". Instead, he emphasised that the decision was made in line with their commitment to not go against the teachings of the scriptures, stating that they didn’t want to go “anti-shastras”.

“What is the reason for not going? Not because of any aversion or hatred, but because it’s Shankaracharyas’ duty to follow rituals of the shastras. And here, shastra-vidhi (rules in scriptures) is being ignored.” He added: “The biggest problem is that the pran pratishtha is being done when the temple is still incomplete. And if we say this, we are called ‘anti-Modi’. What is anti-Modi here?”

Avimukteshwaranand said Hindus of all sects had donated money to the temple. So, it was immoral for Champat Rai, the head of the Ram temple trust, to say the Ram temple belongs to the Ramananda Sampradaya, which is a Vaishnavite sect, while asserting that the ownership does not extend to sanyasis or to the Shaiva or Shakti sects.

Avimukteshwaranand said that Shankaracharyas do not have any temples of their own.

He added that in 1992, the idol of Ram was installed without looking for an auspicious time. But now, waiting for the right time, installing the deity in a half-completed temple is neither justified nor in accordance with religious principles.

Similarly, Shankaracharya of Puri Swami Nischalanand will also not be a part of the consecration. PM Modi has received an invitation from Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to serve as the chief host in the Pran Pratishtha. There is speculation that the Prime Minister might personally place the idol of Ramlala on the throne in the sanctum sanctorum during the ceremony.

He took a swipe at PM Narendra Modi and said the Prime Minister touching the idol of Ram Lalla is against decorum. He said he could not witness the violation of the dignity of ‘Maryada Purushottam’.

Shankaracharya Nischalananda mentioned that he has received an invitation, specifying that he can attend the event with only one person. He added that apart from the invitation, no other form of contact was made with him. He stated that this is the reason why he will not attend the event. According to him, the type of politics being carried out around the Ram temple should be avoided.

Nischalananda criticised the construction of corridors at religious sites. He remarked that contemporary religious places are being transformed into tourist destinations, with elements of enjoyment and luxury being added, which he views as inappropriate.