As the sun rose on January 22, the ancient city of Ayodhya resonated with anticipation and fervor, as it prepared to witness the opulent Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple—a momentous event marking the temple’s grand consecration. While the temple complex buzzed with preparations for the distinguished guests, including the likes of Akshay Kumar and Rajinikanth, attention was also drawn to the celebrity contributions that played a significant role in the temple’s construction.
The Ayodhya Ram Temple, a testament to faith and unity, stands proudly, having received generous financial support exceeding ₹1,100 crores, as confirmed by Govind Dev Giri of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Among the multitude of devotees who offered their resources were celebrated personalities from the Indian film industry.
Bollywood’s action icon Akshay Kumar took to social media platforms as early as January 2021, launching a clarion call to the masses to join him in contributing to the Ram Temple’s construction fund. Through a video message, Akshay expressed the shared joy and responsibility in seeing the temple rise, invoking the spirit of devotion with his rallying cry, “Jai Siyaram.”
Then there’s the veteran actor Anupam Kher, whose presence in Ayodhya during October 2023 became a heartfelt pilgrimage. Capturing moments of the temple taking shape, Kher turned to Instagram to share his profound emotions, reveling in the chants of “Jai Sri Ram” that echoed through the city, and considering himself blessed to support the temple’s construction.
Renowned for her dual accomplishments as an actor and a politician, Hema Malini has also been reported to have contributed to the temple fund. More recently, she graced Ayodhya with a performance, reflecting on her good fortune to witness the resplendent event arranged by Swami Rambhadracharya, even incorporating her own rendition of a Ram Bhajan—a musical offering to Lord Ram.
The indomitable Mukesh Khanna, cherished as ‘Shaktiman’ by children across the country, chose to make a substantial personal donation revealed through a post on social media. His cheque of ₹1.1 lakh, handed over in a ceremony, added to the growing funds intended for the temple’s realization.
Contributions also flowed in from the south, with the revered actor and politician Pawan Kalyan displaying his reverence by donating ₹30 lakhs. Highlighting Lord Ram as an emblem of dharma and bravery, Kalyan emphasized the civilizational significance of the temple and the collective duty towards its construction.
The list of benefactors includes actor Gurmeet Choudhary, who voiced his eagerness to aid in the building of the temple, and Manoj Joshi, 58, who, although quieter about his donation, was an equal participant in this grand act of faith.
Joining these stalwarts was the young actress Pranitha Subhash, who took to the digital space with a commitment of ₹1 lakh and invited others to follow suit. Her rallying call did not just resonate with words but also echoed the sentiments of millions.
As Ayodhya donned its festive attire, celebrities arrived or prepared to attend, marking the ceremony as an event encapsulated by spiritual fervor and solidarity from various corners of India’s artistic community. The Pran Pratishtha, slotted between 12:15 and 12:45 p.m., marked more than just the consecration of a structure; it symbolized a collective act of devotion, where the luminaries of Indian cinema joined hands with the masses, in brick and in spirit, to raise a monument to Lord Ram, manifesting the tapestry of faith woven by diverse strands of India’s cultural fabric.
