Ram Mandir Pran Pratistha: Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble arrive for auspicious event - Full List of sportspersons who reached Ayodhya

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As the historic Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha is just hours away on Monday (January 22) in Ayodhya, the sporting fraternity is part of the guest list to witness the consecration of the Ram Temple.

From cricketing legends to Olympic champions, the luminaries invited for the ceremony on Monday represent a diverse range of sporting disciplines, started arriving in the holy city.

Cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar has left for Ayodhya. The legendary cricketer was spotted on Sunday evening at the Mumbai Airport as he was left for the ancient city in Uttar Pradesh.

Former India captain and current batting maestro Virat Kohli - who took permission from the BCCI to attend the Pran Pratishtha - has already arrived in Ayodhya. Former India cricketer and coach Anil Kumble arrived in Lucknow on Sunday and arrived in Ayodhya from the state's capital.

Legendary sprinter and current Indian Olympic Association President, PT Usha, has already arrived in Lord Ram's city and shared pictures from the banks of the holy 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," Usha, also known as Payyoli Express, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Ace India shuttler and Olympic medallist, Saina Nehwal - who is also a BJP member - arrived at the temple premises to become a part of the event. "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 words," Saina told ANI.

Former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad has also reached Ayodhya and the pacer was spotted on the streets of Ayodhya city, decked in myriad colours for the auspicious event.

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has also reached in Ayodhya to witness the Ram Lala Consecration at his Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya.

Two-time World Cup-winning captain MS Dhoni and current Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma are also set to join the prestigious event and witness the momentous occasion.

The cricketing world is well-represented with World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev, iconic 'little master' Sunil Gavaskar, explosive opener Virendra Sehwag, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, and the current head coach Rahul Dravid joining the ensemble.

The invitation extends beyond the cricketing field, encompassing the brilliance of chess grandmaster Viswanathan Anand. The sporting diversity doesn't stop there; renowned athletes such as weightlifter Karnam Malleswari, footballer Kalyan Chaube, long-distance runner Kavita Raut Tungar, and paralympic javelin thrower Devendra Jhanjadia will also be present.

Women athletes feature prominently on the guest list, and former India women's captain Mithali Raj has reached the venue along with Badminton star Saina Nehwal. The India women star also said that she is blessed to be a part of the grand celebration in Ayodhya.

The presence of cricketing luminaries and iconic figures from various sports is a testament to the unifying power of such historical and cultural events. The Ram Temple consecration ceremony brings together not only athletes but also a diverse mix of politicians, actors, and industrialists, emphasizing the event's significance on a national level.

The 161-foot-tall pink sandstone shrine, set to be unveiled in all its glory, adds another layer of grandeur to the occasion. As Ayodhya braces itself for this historic moment, the presence of these revered sports personalities adds a touch of sporting excellence to an event that holds cultural and religious significance for millions of Indians.