Sharad Pawar to skip Ram temple consecration ceremony

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said he will not attend the Ram temple Pran Pratistha (consecration) ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22, even as he expressed gratitude for receiving the invite.

In a letter to General Secretary of Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Champat Rai, Sharad Pawar wrote that he would visit Ayodhya after the excitement of the inauguration dies down and it would be easier to get darshan.

"Devotees of Ram are excited about the celebration in Ayodhya and they are reaching there in large numbers. The joy of the historic event will reach me through them. After the January 22 event, it will be easier to spend time and get darshan of Ram Lalla," Pawar said.

He added that he plans to visit Ayodhya soon. Pawar also pointed out that "By then, the construction of Ram temple will also be complete."

Senior Congress leaders, last week, declined the invite saying that the BJP and RSS have made the Ram temple a political project. Congress further said that the inauguration of the incomplete temple in Ayodhya is being brought forward for electoral gain.

Among the leaders who have decided to skip the event include, Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary.

Two of the four shankaracharyas have also said they will not attend the Pran Pratistha, as the ceremony was being conducted "against Hindu scriptures." They too question why the consecration was being held before the temple was complete and hinted that it was turning into a political show.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the inaugural ceremony of the Ram temple next week. Pre-Praan Pratishtha sacraments have already begun in Ayodhya in the run up to the big event on January 22. The idol of lord Ram is expected to be around 150-200 kgs and will be placed at its position in the 'Garbh Griha' of the temple on January 18.

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