South Africa's star spinner Keshav Maharaj extended his best wishes for the Ram Mandir's ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony in Ayodhya scheduled to be held on January 22. A devout Hindu Indian-origin Maharaj has also visited temples in India during the recently-concluded ODI World Cup 2023.
Ram Mandir's Pran Prathishtha ceremony is going to be a big event, attracting celebrities from all walks of life. Among the invitees from the sports world, Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli and other notable figures have received formal invitations to attend this significant event.
"Namaste evervone. I just want to wish my Indian community in South Africa for the inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya tomorrow. May be there peace, harmony and spiritual enlightenment to all. Jai Shree Rams" Keshav Maharaj said in the video.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE…
During the recent Test series against India, the 'Ram Siya Ram' song was played each time Keshav Maharaj came out to bat. The spinner later disclosed that he had specifically requested this song to be played.
"Obviously, something that I put forward to the media lady and requested that song to be played," he told PTI.
"For me, God has been my greatest blessing, giving me guidance and opportunity. So, it's the least that I can do and it also just gets you in your zone. It's a nice feeling walking out (into the ground) to hear "Ram Siya Ram' playing in the background," he added.
Meanwhile, prominent sports figures including cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar, chess grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, renowned sprinter PT Usha, and football star Bhaichung Bhutia, are set to attend Ram Temple's Pran Pratistha ceremony. According to a list obtained by PTI, the event on Monday will host over 500 state guests, comprising a diverse group of politicians, actors, sports celebrities, and industrialists.
The guest list includes other celebrated cricketers like World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev, 'little master' Sunil Gavaskar, Harbhajan Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, Virendra Sehwag, and Indian cricket coach Rahul Dravid.
Members of the current Indian cricket team, such as Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Harmanpreet Kaur, have also received invitations. Mithali Raj has also received invitation for the same.
Invitations have been extended to weightlifter Karnam Malleswari, footballer Kalyan Chaube, long-distance runner Kavita Raut Tungar, and Paralympic javelin thrower Devendra Jhanjadia, as well as women's cricket captain Mitali Raj, badminton players Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, and their coach Pullela Gopichand. However, it remains uncertain how many of these invitees will be present at the inauguration of the 161-feet-tall pink sandstone shrine.
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