13 January,2024 11:27 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Uddhav Thackeray. File pic
Maharashtra's former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has written to President of India Doupadi Murmu inviting her to Nashik's Kalaram Temple for 'maha-aarti' on January 22. Thackeray is yet to receive an invitation for the January 22's Ram Mandir inauguration ceremony at Ayodhya.
Thackeray while speaking with the media on Saturday reiterated his demand to invite President Murmu to Ram Mandir inauguration and said, "I am not sure if the president is invited. Whatsoever, we invite her the 'maha-aarti' we have planned on the banks of Godavari river on January 22. Thackeray added that his party MP's will meet President Murmu and extend an formal invitation too.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, Thackeray said that the 'Pran Pratistha' ceremony to be held at Ayodhya is not only of Lord Ram, but 'Pran Pratistha' of entire country. The Ram Mandir is built after the Supreme Court's order after years long fight. Thus, it is a nation's Pran Pratistha and the country's President should be invited for this historic event, he added. Thackeray reminded that when Somnath Mandir was built, the President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad was invited.
The letter written by Thackeray to the President mentions that inauguration of Ram Mandir is fulfillment of the dream of late Balasaheb Thackeray. Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb had fought his entire life for Lord Ram, it adds. Thackeray said that the consecration of Ayodhya's Ram Mandir is a matter of pride and self-respect.
ALSO READ
Our legacy is Ram Mandir, SP's is linked to Atiq and Mukhtar: Adityanath
Fadnavis calls Maharashtra elections a 'Dharmyuddh' and accuses MVA of division
Mumbai: Metro work shakes historic Kalaram Mandir in Girgaon
"All Diwali arrangements made for devotees," says Chief Priest of Ram mandir
Ayodhya prepares for Deepotsav with over 2.5 million diyas this Diwali
The Kalaram temple, located in Nashik's Panchavati district, honours Lord Ram with an idol carved from black stone. The devotees consider the place sanctified by the touch of Lord Ram.
On January 22, Thackeray is expected to visit the Kalaram temple at 6.30 pm and we will hold a maha-aarti on the banks of the Godavari river at 7.30 pm.
Speaking about the Kalaram temple, PM Modi during his visit to Maharashtra on Friday, visited the Kalaram Temple at Nashik to take blessings and also performed a puja.
Meanwhile, at Ayodhya the 'Pran Pratistha' of Lord Ram will be held on January 22. The temple will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Lord Ram's devotees and tourists in hundreds of numbers have already reached Ayodhya to experience the grand event.
