Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) International Working President Alok Kumar and Chairman of Temple Construction Committee Nripendra Mishra on Saturday invited Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP National President JP Nadda for the 'Pranpratishtha' ceremony of Ram Temple slated to be held on January 22. "The invitation for the consecration ceremony of the Shri Ram Mandir on January 22 has been extended to the National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Mr. Jagat Prakash Nadda, the Defence Minister of India and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Rajnath Singh, and the Home Minister of India, Mr. Amit Shah, who has played a crucial role in the current status of the Ram Mandir," a post by the VHP read.
"Mr. Amit Shah has extended the invitation for the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony on January 22 to Mr. Jagat Prakash Nadda, who has graciously accepted and expressed his intention to attend. Both Mr. Amit Shah and Mr. Rajnath Singh, in their joy over the completion of the temple construction and the upcoming consecration ceremony, have declared their eagerness to discuss and finalize the date for their visit to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra. On this occasion, the Central Working President of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, Mr. Alok Kumar, and the Chairman of the Temple Construction Committee, Mr. Nripendra Mishra, were present," the post further read.
More than 11,000 guests from various parts of the country have been extended invitations for the momentous consecration ceremony scheduled for January 22, news agency PTI reported.
In preparation for the grand event, Ayodhya Divisional Commissioner Gaurav Dayal announced that seating arrangements have been made for 7,500 people within the temple premises. Special guests arriving in Ayodhya will be assigned a unique code, and their seating arrangements will be organised accordingly, ensuring a smooth and organised ceremony, he affirmed, as per PTI.
Dayal stated that the 'Pran Pratishtha' programme will be conducted by the priest from Varanasi, accompanied by four trustees and four priests.
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Ram Temple Consecration Ceremony: Unique 'Ramraj' Gifts for Guests
The Uttar Pradesh government has announced that all attendees of the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple on January 22 will receive 'Ramraj,' the sacred soil extracted during the temple's foundation laying, PTI reported. A spokesperson from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust told PTI that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among the dignitaries present, will be gifted a 15-metre-long picture of the Ram temple elegantly packed in a jute bag.
The sacred soil of Ram Janmabhoomi will be packaged in small boxes and presented to the guests participating in the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. Alongside this offering, attendees will also receive traditional 'motichoor laddos' made with 'desi ghee' as prasad, according to an official statement from the trust, cited by PTI.
According to PTI's report, the trust member emphasised the significance of the 'Ramraj' gift, stating, "It is a matter of good fortune to have this soil in any house. They will be able to use this sacred gift in their home gardens or pots."
For those invitees unable to attend the ceremony due to unforeseen circumstances, arrangements have been made to ensure they receive the 'Ramraj' when they visit the temple in Ayodhya in the future, the trust member added.