- By Kamal Kumar
- Thu, 04 Jan 2024 07:33 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Ram Mandir News: The head seer of Jagannath Puri Math, Shankaracharya Swami Nishchalanand Saraswati, on Thursday, questioned the way in which the Ram Temple consecration ceremony is going to be held in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya, saying that 'the consecration of the idol in the Ram Temple should follow the ways of the scriptures.'
The saint also asked why PM Modi is performing the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, asking whether he should only clap while the PM performs the rituals.
"Modi Ji will inaugurate, touch the idol. If PM Modi is performing the consecration, should I applaud there, chanting victory slogans? There is also a dignity to my position. According to the scriptures, the consecration of the idol in the Ram Temple should be done in a certain way. Why should I participate in such an event?" the saint said to reporters during an interaction.
In a video which appeared on the microblogging site 'X', the seer could also be seen mimicking the way the Prime Minister greets people. The chief seer of Jagannath Puri Math, on being asked whether he got an invitation for the ceremony, said that he was aware of being invited with one additional guest; however, he rebuffed the invitation, saying that 'he would have rejected the invitation even if he were to be invited with one hundred men.'
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to inaugurate the nearly completed Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22. Over 6,000 dignitaries, including politicians, saints, and prominent personalities, are expected to participate in the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.
Earlier, the Prime Minister visited the holy city of Ayodhya, which is gearing up for the ceremony. While he flagged off new trains connecting Ayodhya to other parts of the country, the PM also inaugurated the newly built Maharishi Valmiki Ayodhyadham airport to ease the travel for pilgrims and devotees.