'Religion Is A Personal Matter': Congress Turns Down Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration Invite

The Congress party has decided that it won't attend the upcoming inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The decision was shared through an official statement on Wednesday.

The inauguration of Ram Temple is set for January 22, 2024.

"Lord Ram is worshipped by millions in our country. Religion is a personal matter. But the RSS/BJP have long made a political project of the temple in Ayodhya. The inauguration of the incomplete temple by the leaders of the BJP and the RSS has been obviously brought forward for electoral gain," said the statement.

"While abiding by the 2019 Supreme Court judgment and honouring the sentiments of millions who revere Lord Ram, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have respectfully declined the invitation to what is clearly an RSS/BJP event," it added.

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Who have received invitations for the occasion?

The upcoming ceremony for consecrating the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is gearing up to host a diverse guest list of around 8,000 attendees, including about 1,500-1,600 labelled as "eminent" guests.

The Ram Temple Trust has sent out invitations to a broad range of people, including former prime ministers, national party chiefs, and well-known figures from various fields. Notable invitees include Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, and popular actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Rajnikanth, and Madhuri Dixit Nene.

The trust has also invited key figures associated with the Ram Temple movement. BJP stalwarts L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, along with senior party leaders Uma Bharti and Vinay Katiyar, who played crucial roles in the Ram Temple movement, are on the guest list for the occasion.

Who will address the event?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat are expected to address the Ram Temple inauguration in Ayodhya.

Ram Mandir Inauguration to be Held Over 7 Days

As per temple officials, the consecration ceremony will be held over a span of seven days starting on January 16, the day when the host appointed by the temple trust will conduct the atonement ceremony. The 'Dashvidh' bath, Vishnu worship, and offering to cows will be held on the banks of the Saryu River.

• On January 17, a procession carrying the idol of Lord Ram in his child-like form (Ram Lalla) will reach Ayodhya. Devotees carrying Saryu water in Mangal Kalash will be reaching the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, ANI reported.
• On January 18, formal rituals will commence with the Ganesh Ambika puja, Varun puja, Matrika puja, Brahmin Varan, and Vastu Puja.
• On January 19, the holy fire is scheduled to be lit, followed by the establishment of 'Navagraha' and a 'havan' (holy ritual surrounding the fire).
• On January 20, the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple will be washed with Saryu water, after which the Vaastu Shanti and 'Annadhivas' rituals will take place.
• On January 21, the Ram Lalla idol will be bathed in 125 urns and finally be laid to rest.
• On January 22, the final day, after the morning puja, the deity of Ram Lala will be consecrated in 'Mrigashira Nakshatra' in the afternoon.

How much money has been spent on the temple?

The Ram Temple Trust revealed that Rs 900 crore was spent on the construction of the Ram Temple from February 5, 2020, to March 31, 2023. Only individuals with invitation letters or those on government duty will be permitted to attend the event in Ayodhya on January 22.