As the sun dawned over Ayodhya on Monday, it was not just the spiritual energy of the city that shimmered across the temple town, but also the star power it attracted. South Indian cinema megastar Chiranjeevi, together with his son and fellow actor Ram Charan, made their way to the sacred city to be part of an auspicious occasion in India’s cultural and spiritual calendar—the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Mandir.
The father-son duo, beloved by millions for their work in the Telugu film industry, embarked on their journey from Hyderabad, radiating enthusiasm and reverence for the event they were about to witness. Chiranjeevi conveyed his emotions to news agency ANI before the journey, stating, “That is really great. Overwhelming. We feel it’s a rare opportunity. I feel Lord Hanuman, who is my deity, has personally invited me…We are so fortunate to witness this Pran Pratishta…”
Echoing his father’s sentiments, Ram Charan expressed to ANI the honor he felt in attending the ceremony, “It’s a long wait, we are all very honoured to be there.”
The duo was not alone in their pilgrimage to Ayodhya. A glittering array of personalities from different fields—cricket, films, spirituality, politics, and the arts—were also invited to partake in the ceremony.
Visuals from Ayodhya airport earlier flooded social media, showcasing #WATCH tweets capturing the arrival of the Telugu superstars. The presence of Bollywood A-listers was felt as well, with the likes of Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Vicky Kaushal, Ayushmann Khurrana, Kangana Ranaut, Katrina Kaif, Jackie Shroff, and the legendary Asha Bhosle adding to the constellation of celebrities in attendance.
With security at its zenith, the day was scheduled to unfold with a deluge of rituals and celebrations. Hosted amidst the serene backdrop of Ayodhya, the Pran Pratishtha ceremony—the spiritual installation of the deity Ram Lalla within the temple—promised to be a convergence of history, faith, and national pride.
The Pran Pratishtha’s main ritual was timed to commence at 12:30 pm, following a majestic musical celebration entitled ‘Mangal Dhwani’, revealed by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. This musical feast, set to begin at 10 am, boasted performances by eminent musical maestros, adding further allure to the event.
In preparation for this monumental occasion, festivities ignited not only in Ayodhya but also across the nation. In Uttar Pradesh’s capital, Lucknow, banners, flags, and posters bearing the image of Lord Ram adorned cityscapes. National sentiment followed suit, with cities throughout India festooned with lights, colossal cut-outs of Lord Ram, and posters reverberating with religious slogans linked to the deity.
The run-up to the grand ceremony was rooted in tradition, with Vedic rituals unfolding since January 16, a week prior, paving a divine path to the main event. Citizens, devotees, and visitors eagerly anticipated the ceremonial installation, as it marked not just a physical foundation stone in Ayodhya but also a symbolic cornerstone in the hearts and minds of many.
