Ram Mandir Pran Pratistha: Full List Of Cricketers Invited For Ram Temple Consecration In Ayodhya

As Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya prepares for the auspicious Ram Temple Pran Pratistha (Ram Temple consecration) on January 22, several VVIPs are receiving the invitation for the grand ceremony in the holy city.

Several household names from India's sporting fraternity are also getting invites to become a part of the religious gathering. Sporting personalities such as Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, two-time world cup winning captain MS Dhoni, and batting maestro Virat Kohli are among the invitees.

Former India women's cricketer Mithali Raj became the latest cricketer to receive an invite to the ceremony in Ayodhya. Ace India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also received the invitation for the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony. Indian women's cricket team skipper Harmanpreet Kaur also received the invitation.

Tamil Nadu's BJP State Secretary Dr. SG Suryah and vice-president Venkataram C handed over the invitation to the senior cricketer at his residence in Chennai. While there is suspense over the presence of Dhoni in Ayodhya, reports claim that Kohli has taken permission from the BCCI to attend the ceremony on January 22.

As there is no cricketing action before January 25, when Team India take on England in the first of the five-Test series in Hyderabad, Kohli is likely to get the BCCI nod for the same. Kohli and his actor-wife, Anushka Sharma, received the invite at their Mumbai residence.

Earlier, Dhoni and batting legend Tendulkar were given invitations to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ram Temple. Dhoni was given the invitation by Dhananjay Singh, the co-province secretary of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

"Today, State General Secretary (Organization) Shri @bjpkarmveer ji and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's co-province executive Shri Dhananjay Singh ji congratulated the former captain of the Indian cricket team, pride of Jharkhand, Shri Mahendra Singh Dhoni ji at the JSCA Stadium for the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Invited to join the prestige," BJP Jharkhand wrote on its X, formerly known as Twitter, handle.

Former India opener and a BJP MP, Gautam Gambhir, shared a post about receiving the invitation. "Dad was honoured to receive the invitation for प्राण प्रतिष्ठा! Jai Shri Ram!," wrote Gambhir on X.

Former India captain and current head coach of the men's national Indian cricket team, Rahul Dravid, has also received the invitation for the grand event. Star India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja - whose wife Rivaba is a sitting BJP MLA in Gujarat - is also among the VVIPs to be invited.

India skipper Rohit Sharma - who led Team India in the ODI World Cup 2023 final and finished as the runners-up of the showpiece event in India - has also been invited to the Ram Temple consecration.

Rohit recently slammed his fifth T20I century in the just-concluded third and final match against Afghanistan at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. India won the third T20I in a double Super Over match and clinched the series 3-nil.

Former India captains Sourav Ganguly, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, and Anil Kumble have also received the invitation for the highly anticipated ceremony. Former India opener Virender Sehwag - who is known for speaking his heart out on social media platforms - has also received the invitation.

The Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya began a week before the ceremony on Tuesday. The temple will be open for 'darshan' for the general public from January 23.

Champat Rai, the General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, said, "The 'Pran Prathishtha' is expected to conclude by 1 pm. PM Modi and others present will express their thoughts after the ceremony. As per tradition, gifts in 1000 baskets have come from Nepal's Janakpur and areas of Mithila. On Jan 20 and 21 darshan will remain closed to the public."