"Filled with excitement", says Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhara on invitation of 'Pran Pratistha' ceremony
Jan 13, 2024
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 13 : After receiving the invitation for the Ram Mandir 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony to be held in Ayodhya, Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhara and a member of the UP Kinnar Welfare Board, Kaushalya Nand Giri, said that the transgender community is filled with excitement.
Kaushalya Nand Giri is the first member of the transgender community to receive the invitation.
Talking to ANI, Giri expressed her happiness and said, "Our transgender community is filled with excitement. I have received the invitation for January 22. I will be representing the transgender community. I cannot express my happiness."
Giri said that the transgender community has an old relationship with Lord Ram.
"When Lord Ram was going into exile for 14 years, all men, women and transgenders followed him. After this, Lord Ram ordered the men and women to go back. But he did not say anything to the transgenders. When Lord Ram returned after his exile, he asked the transgender community why they hadn't returned. Then the transgender community said that you asked men and women to leave but not us, so we are waiting for you. At that time, Lord Ram blessed the transgender community, saying that in Kalyug you will get respect and fame and whoever you bless will not fail," the Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhara said.
"The transgender community also spent 14 years in exile with Lord Ram, now after 500 years of exile. We are very happy that Lord Shri Ram is going to reside in Ayodhya," Giri added.
The 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of the Ram Temple will be held on January 22. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla at the grand temple on that day. As per temple officials, the ceremony will be held for seven days starting on January 16.
Thousands of VIP guests have received invitations from Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for the ceremony.
The Trust has made elaborate arrangements to welcome and honor all attendees, presenting them with gifts that include 'Ram Raj.' As part of the celebration, Teerth Kshetra Trust will also distribute special 'Motichoor laddus' made from desi ghee as 'Prasad' to the guests.
A member of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust shared that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, set to attend the event, will be presented with a 15-meter picture of the Ram temple enclosed in a jute bag featuring an image of the sacred structure.
More than 11,000 guests nationwide have received invitations from the Trust for the Pran Pratistha ceremony, with special arrangements underway to provide memorable gifts to all attendees. According to a Trust member, the revered Ram Raj, soil excavated from the temple, will be bestowed upon the guests, serving as a cherished memento. This sacred gift can be used in home gardens or pots, adding a touch of divinity to their homes. Even those unable to attend the Pran Pratishtha program may receive this meaningful gift in the future.
A team of priests led by Lakshmikant Dixit will perform the main rituals of the pran prathistha of Ram Lalla on January 22.