Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Saina Nehwal, PT Usha visit Ayodhya for Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha - videos and pictures

From cricketing legends to sporting dignitaries, the sportspersons invited, and ones that attended the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya is a lengthy one. Former India captain Virat Kohli, who received permission from the BCCI to attend the auspicious event, arrived in the ancient city in Uttar Pradesh on Monday.

Virat Kohli's convoy in Ayodhya.

- The 🐐 has reached Ram Janmabhoomi. pic.twitter.com/HwkmAA2388

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 21, 2024

Kohli was in Hyderabad with the rest of the Indian team in preparation for the first Test against England that gets underway on 25 January. The star batter was spotted arriving in Ayodhya early in the morning. Later in the day, BCCI announced that he had opted out of the first two Tests against England due to personal reasons.

Ravindra Jadeja capturing Shree Ram Lalla murti at the Ram Temple.

- A beautiful moment ⭐ pic.twitter.com/fyccrQdc6Q

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 22, 2024

Meanwhile, allrounder Ravindra Jadeja, also part of the squad to face England, made the trip to Ayodhya.

Instagram Story of Sakshi Dhoni ❤️❤️#MSDhoni #RamMandirPranPrathistha pic.twitter.com/YTdoFMhUHw

— Chakri (@ChakriDhonii) January 22, 2024

Former India captain MS Dhoni’s wife Sakshi posted an Instagram story seemingly from inside the premises.

Sachin Tendulkar at the Mumbai airport before leaving for Ayodhya for Pran Pratishtha of Shree Ram.pic.twitter.com/bygHBFRl1M

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 22, 2024

#WATCH | Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar arrives at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya to attend the Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha ceremony#RamMandirPranPrathistha pic.twitter.com/72BLcxUnmp

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024

Ex-India cricketer and icon Sachin Tendulkar departed from Mumbai on Sunday evening as he made his way to Uttar Pradesh. He was then spotted wearing the traditional attire accorded to all attendees in Ayodhya.

VIDEO | Former cricketer @sachin_rt arrives in Ayodhya to attend #RamMandirPranPratishtha.#AyodhyaRamMandir pic.twitter.com/tsCzVABlmU

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 22, 2024

Pure Bliss and Blessed to be part of this divine occasion 🙏🏽 #RamMandirAyodhya #JaiShriRamJi pic.twitter.com/sbJ8gyjzYk

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) January 22, 2024

Say it , Sing it , Roar it
Jai Shree Ram 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/jY75bVyQT2

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) January 22, 2024

Former India cricketer and coach Anil Kumble arrived in Lucknow on Sunday and then proceeded to Ayodhya from UP’s capital. As did his one-time teammate Venkatesh Pradesh.

Experienced tranquility and divine peace at the banks of the Sarayu river. The river stands testimony to the history of Ayodhya and Lord Ram, blessing the people even today with her riches. pic.twitter.com/UPBloGGJON

— P.T. USHA (@PTUshaOfficial) January 22, 2024

Legendary athlete and current Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President, PT Usha, has also arrived in Lord Ram’s city and shared pictures from the banks of River Sarayu.

“Experienced tranquillity and divine peace at the banks of the Sarayu river. The river stands testimony to the history of Ayodhya and Lord Ram, blessing the people even today with her riches,” PT Usha wrote on X.

Ram Mandir 🛕… #AyodhaRamMandir pic.twitter.com/55oaPlUGnw

— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) January 22, 2024

Jai Shree Ram 🙏🙏 #ayodhyamandir pic.twitter.com/kjjkv1DXLo

— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) January 22, 2024

#WATCH | Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh | Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal says, "I think this is a big day for all of us. I am fortunate to have received the opportunity to be here today. We will have the darshan of Lord Ram here. So, we are waiting for that moment...I can't express my joy in… pic.twitter.com/HObcVGTJ9D

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024

2012 London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal posted a photo on X, with the caption, “Jai Shree Ram 🙏🙏 #ayodhyamandir”.

Ajinkya Rahane wishes everyone a graceful day ahead of the Pran Pratishtha of Shree Ram in Ayodhya. pic.twitter.com/9e1OhMhd2E

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 22, 2024

Cricketer Ajinkya Rahane wrote on Instagram, “May we be blessed with divine grace today and always…”

Still feeling overwhelmed with love and devotion looking into the eyes of Prabhu Shri Ram. Pure bliss.

Sitaram Sitaram Sitaram Kahiye,
Jaahi vidhi Raakhe Raam , taahi Vidhi rahiye 🙏🏼#AyodhyaRamMandir pic.twitter.com/sgoTIXmagQ

— Virrender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 22, 2024

An incredible day in Ayodhya, witnessing the sacred #RamMandirPranPrathistha. Feeling truly blessed to seek divine blessings from Bhagwan Shri Ram at his majestic temple. This day shall stay with me forever. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/SCBuG6GvLL

— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) January 22, 2024

The who’s who of Indian sport had been invited for the event in Ayodhya. 1983 World cup-winning captain Kapil Dev, ‘Little Master’ Sunil Gavaskar, explosive former batter Virender Sehwag, and current head coach Rahul Dravid had been expected to join in on the proceedings.

The invitation extended beyond the cricketing field, encompassing the likes of chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, weightlifter Karnam Malleswari, former footballer and current AIFF president Kalyan Chaube, long-distance runner Kavita Raut Tungar, paralympian Devendra Jhajharia, cricketer Mithali Raj, shuttler PV Sindhu, and legendary Pullela Gopichand.