Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has declined the invitation for the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22, stating that he plans to visit for darshan after the event and once the construction is complete.

Ram Mandir 'Pran Pratistha': Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has declined the invitation for the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22, stating that he plans to visit for darshan after the event and once the construction is complete.

In a letter written to the General Secretary Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Champat Rai, Pawar conveyed his appreciation for the invite. "I'm very happy to receive the invitation for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony to held in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024," Pawar stated in his letter.

"Maryada Purushottam Sri Ram is a symbol of worship and devotion of crores of devotees in and across India. The devotees across the country are excited about the ceremony and are reaching the temple in large numbers. The joy of the historic celebrations will reach me through them," he said.

NCP chief said he plans to visit the temple during his scheduled visit to Ayodhya after January 22, and by then, the construction of the temple will be completed.

"The darshan of Shri Ram Lalla can be done peacefully and with devotion after the ceremonies are over on January 22. I have a scheduled visit to Ayodhya, and at that time I will have the darshan of Shri Ram Lalla, by then the construction of the temple will also be completed," Pawar said.

"I once again express my gratitude for the invitation and convey my best wishes for the success of the ceremony," he added.

Earlier, Sharad Pawar took a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for not receiving an invitation to the ceremony. He expressed difficulty in understanding whether the party was utilizing the issue for religious or political purposes.