Lord Ram chose his devotee PM Modi to build temple in Ayodhya: BJP veteran LK Advani

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran LK Advani stated on Friday, before of the grand ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Temple in Uttar Pradesh, that Lord Ram had chosen Prime Minister Narendra Modi, one of his devotees, to build a grand temple in Ayodhya since fate had decreed it would happen. LK Advani gave credit to Lord Ram’s followers for building the Ayodhya temple. Recalling the moments of his historic Rath Yatra, initiated 33 years ago on September 25, 1990, the BJP veteran said, “At the time when we started the yatra, we were not aware that this would turn into a nationwide movement. During the yatra, PM Modi was my companion. Although he was not very famous then, but at that time itself, Lord Ram had chosen his devotee (Modi) to construct the temple.” Advani called the Ayodhya movement a pivotal point in his political career. It was a journey that led him to “re-discover India and, in the process, re-understand himself.” “At the time of the Rath Yatra, there were many experiences that influenced my life. From a remote village, unknown villagers overwhelmed with emotion would come to me after seeing the chariot. They would praise Lord Ram. After witnessing these moments, I realised that many people in this country dream of the Ram temple. On January 22, not only the prestige of the Ram Temple but also the faith of these villagers will be restored,” he said. “At that time, I felt that destiny had decided that one day a grand temple of Lord Ram would be built in Ayodhya; now it’s only a matter of time,” he added. Leading the Yatra, the veteran BJP leader also paid tribute to the late former prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “During the Yatra, I realised that I was just a charioteer. The main messenger of the Rath Yatra was the chariot itself because it carried the message of restoring the Ram Temple in Ayodhya,” he added. Advani further hoped that the Ram Temple would assist people in incorporating Lord Ram’s teachings into their daily lives. Advani is scheduled to attend the Pran Pratistha event at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22. On January 22, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to witness the installation of the Ram Lalla deity at the magnificent shrine. Saints from different traditions have also been invited to the January 22 Pran Pratistha celebration. According to representatives of the temple, the event will take place over seven days beginning on January 16. The Ram Temple ‘Pran Pratishtha’, which is scheduled for January 22, is rapidly approaching and is expected to attract dignitaries and individuals from many backgrounds. The sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Temple will see the enthronement of Ram Lalla at noon on January 22 by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Beginning one week prior to the major celebration on January 16, Vedic rites will be performed for Ram Lalla’s Pran-Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya. On January 22, Lakshmi Kant Dixit, a priest from Varanasi, will conduct the principal ceremonies of the Ram Lalla event. The Amrit Mahotsav will be celebrated in Ayodhya from January 14 to January 22. For the Indian people, Ayodhya—the birthplace of Lord Rama—has enormous spiritual, historical, and cultural significance. (With agency inputs)