• By Manik Sharma
  • Sun, 21 Jan 2024 11:54 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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South African spinner Keshav Maharaj took to social media to express his heartfelt wishes to the Indian community in South Africa ahead of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya, scheduled for January 22. A devoted follower of Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman, Maharaj had previously shared his religious inclinations.

In a video message, Maharaj conveyed his greetings, saying, "Namaste everyone. I just want to wish my Indian community in South Africa for the inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya tomorrow. May there be peace, harmony, and spiritual enlightenment for all. Jai Shree Ram."

The upcoming event holds significance because of the return of Bhagwan Shri Ram to his birthplace in Ayodhya, with the construction of the temple authorised by the Supreme Court of India following an extended legal battle.

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The new and aesthetically appealing Ram Mandir, funded by donations from both ordinary citizens and celebrities in India, is set to be inaugurated with a full-fledged consecration ceremony.

Several prominent Indian cricketers, including Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin, Anil Kumble, Mithali Raj, and Harmanpreet Kaur, have been invited to attend the event.

Identifying himself as a proud Hindu, Maharaj has been visibly devout on the field, often seen offering prayers to the gods. His great-grandfather hails from the Uttar Pradesh village of Sultanpur, giving account of his Indian ancestry. Maharaj has been vocal about his Hindu faith, sharing images from his temple visits after the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup held in India.

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In addition, the cricketer proudly displays an 'Om' sticker on his bat, visible each time he steps onto the field. Notably, the chant of 'Ram Siya Ram' from the movie Adipurush resonated in the stadium during Keshav Maharaj's appearances in the recent Test series against India.

For the auspicious occasion, Ayodhya is adorned like a newly wedded bride, with dignitaries from various fields invited to witness the event, presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.