As the nation awaits the historic 'Pran Pratishtha' of Lord Ram in Ayodhya on January 22, a group of confectioners from Varanasi and Gujarat are in the temple town, busy preparing sweet offerings for the dignitaries and devotees on the big day.
Questioning the timing of the 'Pran Patishtha' ceremony at the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, close to the next Lok Sabha elections, senior Congress leader TS Singh Deo on Thursday claimed that the event is not 'purely religious' and has distinct 'political undertones'.
Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) national president Nitish Kumar, who has been extended an invitation to attend the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Lord Ram Lalla, would take his own decision on whether he will attend the grand event in Ayodhay later this month or not, party leader K
"They (Congress) take anti-Hindu stand, insult Hindus...and had even put affidavits questioning the existence of Lord Ram in the Supreme Court. So I do not expect much from the Congress party because they repeatedly take anti-Hindu stand," the Union Minister said.
"Congress is not boycotting Ram Janmabhoomi or Ram Temple. In fact, Congress does not agree with this Pran Pratistha ceremony being conducted by the Bharatiya Janata Party," Uday Bhan said.
Calling the Ram Temple inauguration an event of the BJP and RSS, Congress has turned down the invitation for the 'Pran Pratistha' ceremony of Lord Ram Lalla, scheduled later this month in Ayodhya.
SP leader met Champat Rai today and told ANI that he has written a letter to the Assembly Speaker to take those MLAs to the Pran Pratishtha programme on January 22 who have faith in Lord Ram.
"We invited the Prime Minister and also the Leader of Opposition. We also invited the BJP president and chiefs of other parties. If everyone will work together for Lord Ram, then there will not be any political gain or loss," Kumar told ANI.
"If they don't wish to be there, then why drag the RSS and the BJP, and why are they trying to do politics over Lord Ram Temple's consecration?" lashed out at the BJP leader.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday said that by declining the invitation to the 'Pran Pratistha' ceremony of Lord Ram Lalla in Ayodhya later this month, the Congress has hurt the sentiments of the majority of the population of the country.
In line with preparations for the Lord Ram Pran Pratishtha ceremony to be held in Ayodhya on January 22, the Uttar Pradesh government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will launch a mega cleanliness campaign from Makar Sankranti in Ayodhya.
In a heartwarming display of devotion, 42 pregnant women in Surat, Gujarat, have contributed uniquely to the 'Pran Pratishta' ceremony of Lord Rama's deity in Ayodhya. Ahead of the 'Pran Pratishta' ceremony, these expectant mothers inscribed the mantra 'Jai Shri Ram' 21 times in 21 different