Previously, cricketers Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar were also extended invitations to the much-awaited event in Ayodhya.
On Monday, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the ex-captain of team India, became the third cricketer to be invited to the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Temple on January 22 in Ayodhya. The invitation was presented to the World Cup-winning captain by Dhananjay Singh, the co-province secretary of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and Karmaveer Singh, a BJP leader, at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) stadium in Ranchi.
“Today, Shri @bjpkarmveer, State General Secretary (Organization), and Shri Dhananjay Singh, co-province executive of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, extended congratulations to the esteemed Mahendra Singh Dhoni, former captain of the Indian cricket team and pride of Jharkhand, at the JSCA Stadium. They invited him to be part of the prestigious inauguration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya,” shared BJP Jharkhand on its X (formerly known as Twitter) handle.
This makes MS Dhoni one of the 16 notable individuals from Jharkhand who have received invitations for the consecration ceremony. Other invitees comprise senior BJP leader Karia Munda, honored with Padma Bhushan, as well as Padma Shri awardees Mukund Nayak and archer Deepika Kumari. Additionally, AJSU party chief Sudesh Mahto is also among the invitees.
Previously, cricketers Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar were also extended invitations to the much-anticipated event in Ayodhya. The consecration ceremony of the Ram temple is scheduled for January 22, with elaborate Vedic rituals following Hindu traditions set to commence for seven days starting Tuesday, January 16. Champat Rai, the general secretary of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teertha Kshetra, mentioned that the idol of Lord Ram would be placed in its designated position at the ‘Garbh Griha’ of the temple on January 18. The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ is slated to take place at 12:20 pm on January 22, with the auspicious timing determined by Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid of Varanasi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to be the main guest at the significant occasion, with thousands of individuals, encompassing celebrities, saints, and politicians, receiving invitations to the grand event.