With a little over a week left for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday turned down the invite to attend the ceremony, stating he would visit the temple with his family after the event.
In a letter to Ram Janmabhoomi Theerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai, the SP chief thanked him for the invitation received on Saturday morning. Posting the letter thanking Rai on X, Yadav extended best wishes for the programme.
His response came a day after Yadav claimed that he had not received any invitation to the consecration ceremony either in person or by courier, and had also demanded proof in case it was sent by post.
Celebrations in the US
The Hindu community in the US on Saturday celebrated the upcoming consecration of the Ram Temple. Hundreds gathered to attend the car rally in Maryland and New Jersey holding flags inscribed with the images of Lord Ram.
The US chapter of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) also put up more than 40 billboards in over 10 states, displaying the message around the grand 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. The billboards have gone up in Texas, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, and Georgia, among other states, reported ANI. It added that celebrations will also be held in Arizona and Missouri starting Monday.
"The Hindu community in New Jersey is brimming with joy, eagerly anticipating the upcoming car rally, exhibition, curtain raiser, and billboards across New York and New Jersey. Grand celebrations are slated for the 21st night. The enthusiasm is palpable, with members from Mandirs across NJ eagerly looking forward to this once-in-a-generation event," Teja A Shah, VHP joint general secretary, told ANI.
The VHP also organised an Epic Tesla Musical light show in Maryland state. Videos from the state showed people from the Hindu community holding flags inscribed with images of Lord Ram and raising 'Jai Shree Ram' and 'Ram Lakshman Janki, Jai Shri Hanuman Ki' slogans. The Tesla car light show was synchronised to the tunes of Jai Shri Ram.
CM Yogi to flag off electric autos, buses
Chief Minister Yogi Adithyanath will arrive in Ayodhya on Sunday to flag off 25 electric autos and 50 buses from Ayodhya bus station. He will also launch a massive cleaning campaign that will run from 14 to 21 January. The Chief Minister will also review the preparations for the consecration.
The operation of electric buses will be initiated on the Dharma Path and Ram Path from Monday. New areas have also been marked for parking on the Chaudah Kosi and Panchkosi Parikrama routes.