As Ayodhya prepares for the historic Ram Temple Pran Pratistha (consecration) on January 22, the city is set to host numerous dignitaries, including some of India’s cricketing legends. The consecration ceremony, to be graced by Prime Minister Modi, will unveil an idol of Lord Ram, a revered deity in Hinduism, inside the temple’s sanctum.
Cricketing Icons on the Guest List: Invitations have been extended to iconic figures in India’s sports arena, with cricketing legends Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli among those invited to participate in the grand event. The list also includes cricket stalwarts such as Rohit Sharma, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Gautam Gambhir.
Sachin Tendulkar Leads the Way: Sachin Tendulkar, India’s cricketing maestro and batting legend, was the first cricketer to officially receive an invitation for the Ram Mandir ‘Pran Prathistha.’ Subsequently, other cricketing luminaries were also honored with invitations, adding a touch of sporting glory to the sacred event.
Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir Included: The list of invitees features Rahul Dravid, the former captain of India and the current head coach of the men’s national Indian cricket team. Additionally, Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opener and current BJP MP, has also received the prestigious invitation.
A Gathering of Cricketing Greats: The grand ceremony, expected to host over 7,000 attendees, will witness the presence of high-profile politicians, celebrities, and cricketers from across the country. The participation of cricketing legends adds a unique dimension to the cultural and spiritual significance of the event.
As a prelude to Monday’s consecration ceremony, the Ram Lalla idol, crafted by sculptor Arun Yogiraj from Mysuru, was ceremoniously placed inside the sanctum during Friday’s rituals, setting the stage for a momentous and spiritually significant occasion in Ayodhya.