Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma have received invitations to attend the ‘Pran Pratistha’ ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22.
This event marks a significant occasion, with Kohli joining the ranks of former cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni, who have also been invited. Tendulkar received his invitation on January 13 in Mumbai, while Dhoni was extended the invitation on January 15.
As the excitement builds for the ceremony in Ayodhya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to all ‘Ram Devotees’ not to crowd the city on the consecration day. He suggests that the public can visit the temple once the formal program concludes on January 22.
The much-anticipated ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony, where the idol of Ram Lalla will be ceremonially enthroned at the grand temple, will be presided over by PM Modi in Ayodhya. This historic event is set to take place in the shrine’s sanctum-sanctorum.
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma Invited for ‘Pran Pratistha’ Ceremony
Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has received an invitation to attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22. This follows invitations sent to previous players like MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, and Venkatesh Prasad for the same auspicious event.
Alongside Kohli, his wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, was also invited to the grand inauguration in Uttar Pradesh. Despite being with the Indian cricket team during the T20I series against Afghanistan, Kohli made a special trip back to Mumbai to personally accept the invitation before heading to Bengaluru for the third match.
Virat Kohli T20I Comeback
After being away for more than 14 months, Virat Kohli returned to the T20 format when India faced Afghanistan in a three-match series. Despite missing the first game due to personal reasons, the star batsman came back for the second T20I in Indore. In that match, he contributed 29 runs off 16 balls, helping India secure a 6-wicket victory and a 2-0 lead in the series.
Before this series, Kohli’s last T20I appearance was at the 2022 T20 World Cup, where India faced a defeat in the semi-final against eventual champions England. Now, with a win in Indore, India aims to complete a clean sweep against Afghanistan in the upcoming third and final match at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday, January 17.
Also Read: India vs Afghanistan T20I Squad: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Comeback
PM Modi Request to Devotees
As Ayodhya gets ready for a momentous ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged all Lord Ram devotees to avoid assembling in the city on the consecration day. Instead, he recommends that the public visit the temple after the formal program concludes on January 22.
This important event, known as ‘Pran Pratishtha,’ signifies the installation of the idol of Lord Ram at the grand temple, and it will be supervised by PM Modi. The ceremonial placement of Lord Ram’s idol in the temple’s inner sanctum is scheduled to take place in Ayodhya.
Also Read: Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor Invited to Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q.1. Who else has been invited to the ‘Pran Pratistha’ ceremony?
Ans. Previous cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni have also received invitations.
Q.2. When did Sachin Tendulkar receive his invitation?
Ans. Sachin Tendulkar received his invitation in Mumbai on January 13.
Q.3. How did Virat Kohli manage to attend the ceremony amid the T20I series?
Ans. Despite the T20I series, Kohli made a special trip to Mumbai to accept the invitation before heading to Bengaluru.
Q.4. What is the significance of the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony?
Ans. It marks the ceremonial enthronement of the idol of Ram Lalla at the grand temple in Ayodhya.
Q.5. What is PM Modi’s request to Lord Ram devotees?
Ans. PM Modi urges devotees not to gather in Ayodhya on the consecration day but to visit the temple after the formal program concludes on January 22.
