Top Shankaracharyas Refuse to Attend Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha Ceremony Citing Violation of Sanatan Dharma Rules

Four of the top Shankaracharyas in India have decided not to attend the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony, which is scheduled for January 22 in Ayodhya. The ceremony aims to consecrate the temple’s idol and allow it to be worshipped following the construction of the new temple. These Shankaracharyas have expressed their displeasure that the ceremony doesn’t follow the rules of Sanatan Dharma.

Shankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswati of the Jyotir Peeth in Uttarakhand has said that if there is to be the Pran Pratishta of Lord Rama, it should be according to scriptural guidelines. He has decided not to attend the ceremony, but he has also made it clear that he won’t oppose it. Shankaracharya Bharati Teerth of Sringeri Sharda Peeth is also expected to not attend the ceremony.

Union Minister Narayan Rane reacted to the Shankaracharyas’ decision, saying that they should bless the Ram Temple instead of criticizing some aspects. Rane also accused the Shankaracharyas of looking at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP through a “political prism.”

The Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, clarified that he is not against the Prime Minister. He urged Prime Minister Modi to reconsider the decision of the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony and postpone it until the construction work of the Ram temple is completed. The Shankaracharyas of Shri Shringeri Sharda Peeth Karnataka, Dwarka Sharda Peeth in Gujarat, Jyotir Peeth in Uttarakhand, and Govardhan Peeth in Odisha have also decided not to attend the consecration ceremony on January 22.

The country’s Prime Minister will reside in the sanctum sanctorum, touch the idol, and perform the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony. The opposition parties are now targeting the center on the grounds of objections raised by the Sanatan Dharma gurus.

The Shankaracharyas have taken a stance that the Pran Pratishtha ceremony should be according to scriptural guidelines. They want to avoid any missteps and ensure that everything aligns with scriptural knowledge.