VIDEO | Not anti-Modi but also not anti-Dharma Shastra; Shankaracharyas set to miss Ram Mandir consecration ceremony

New Delhi: The opening ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22 will not witness the presence of all four Shankaracharyas, who serve as the spiritual leaders of major Hindu shrines. These shrines are overseen by Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati in Joshimath (Uttarakhand), Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati in Dwarka (Gujarat), Nischalananda Saraswati Puri (Odisha), and Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam in Sringeri (Karnataka). These sacred sites were founded by the eighth-century religious scholar Adi Shankaracharya.

The leaders of the Puri and Joshimath shrines have conveyed their decision not to attend the inauguration, citing a failure to adhere to religious scriptures during the event. Earlier this week, Swami Nishchalanand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Puri Gowardhanpeeth, declared his decision to abstain from the event, deeming it contradictory to the scriptures.

Shankaracharyas to skip consecration ceremony

Avimukteshwaranand, the Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth in Uttarakhand, stated that the Shankaracharyas would not be present at the event due to its deviation from Hindu religious norms. He emphasised that their stance was not driven by any animosity towards anyone.

In a video posted on his official X handle on January 9, Joshimath Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati asserted that none of the four pontiffs would be present in Ayodhya on January 22 because the temple was being consecrated before construction was completed.

22 जनवरी के प्रतिष्ठा के पूर्व रामानन्द सम्प्रदाय को मन्दिर सौंपे रामजन्मभूमि तीर्थ क्षेत्र ट्रस्ट -

रामजन्मभूमि तीर्थ क्षेत्र ट्रस्ट के महासचिव चंपतराय जी के इस बयान पर पूज्यपाद ज्योतिष्पीठाधीश्वर जगद्गुरु शंकराचार्य स्वामिश्रीः अविमुक्तेश्वरानंदः सरस्वती '१००८' की प्रतिक्रिया… pic.twitter.com/h0IqLN8wFe

— 1008.Guru (@jyotirmathah) January 9, 2024

"It is the duty of Shankaracharya to ensure that religious scriptures are properly followed," remarked Avimukteshwaranand, adding, "The scriptures are being undermined by carrying out consecration before the construction of the temple is complete. There is no reason for this rush."

Champat Rai vs Ramanand sect?

In a recent interview with the Hindi daily Amar Ujala, Champat Rai, the head of the Ram temple trust, stated that the temple is affiliated with the Ramanand sect of Hindus and not with ascetics from the Shaiva and Shakta traditions. The four Shankaracharyas are associated with the Shaiva tradition.

In response to Rai's comments, Avimukteshwaranand criticised Rai for making such remarks, stating it was immoral since Hindus of all sects had donated money to the temple.

"If the temple belongs to the Ramanand sect, why is Champat Rai heading the trust?" questioned the seer. "He should then hand over the temple to the Ramanand sect before the consecration."

What is the Ramanand sect?

The Ramanand sect, established by the 15th-century Vaishnavite devotee Ramanandi, worships the Hindu deity Vishnu, of whom Ram is believed to be an incarnation. It's worth noting that Rai does not belong to the Ramanand sect.

Installation of Lord Ram’s idol against Hindu scriptures

Asserting that the installation of Lord Ram’s idol before completing the temple construction contravened Hindu principles, Avimukteshwaranand pointed out that there was no need for haste. He expressed the belief that there was ample time for the construction of the Ram Temple and subsequent completion of Pran Pratishtha. Avimukteshwaranand clarified that their stance is not anti-Modi but rooted in adherence to religious principles.

Bad omens to follow if rituals aren't flawless

Thousands of participants, including celebrities, saints, and politicians, have been invited for the event, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the chief guest. Nishchalanand highlighted potential negative consequences, citing the Skanda Purana, warning that bad omens may affect the idol if rituals are not conducted properly.

Congress leaders to skip too

The temple trust states that the first floor and sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Temple are ready, with full construction expected over the next two years. Meanwhile, the Congress announced that leaders Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury would not attend, citing concerns about the BJP’s political motives behind the event.