The consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple will not be attended by the Shankaracharyas of the Puri and Uttarakhand mutts. They have stated various reasons for their absence, one of which is the presence of Mr. Modi in the sanctum sanctorum.
New Delhi: The ‘Pran Pratishta’, or consecration, of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya – touted by the BJP as a grand spectacle to be headlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi prior to the 2024 Lok Sabha election – will witness the presence of more than 10,000 distinguished guests from all corners of India, including 100 international dignitaries. However, at least two out of the four shankaracharyas – the most prominent Hindu religious leaders – have declined to attend, citing non-compliance with norms and a perceived “political angle” to the event, which has also faced criticism from the opposition.
The shankaracharyas from the Govardhana Peetha in Odisha’s Puri and the Jyotir Mutt in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli have explicitly stated their non-participation, primarily due to the presence of Mr. Modi in the sanctum sanctorum. On the other hand, the shankaracharyas from the Sharda Peeth in Karnataka’s Sringeri and the Sharada Peetha in Gujarat’s Dwarka have not yet confirmed or denied their attendance.
Regardless, the absence of two out of the four shankaracharyas has provided the opposition with substantial ammunition to criticize the BJP. The consecration of the Ayodhya Ram Temple has been projected by the BJP as a significant politico-religious event, highlighting the Prime Minister’s credentials in the run-up to the election.
Who Are The Shankaracharyas?
The leaders of four sects founded by Adi Shankaracharya in the eighth century are bestowed with the prestigious title of ‘shankaracharya’. This title is recognized within the Advaita Vedanta tradition of Hinduism. These sects are spread across Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Odisha, and Karnataka, with each sect entrusted with the responsibility of preserving one of the four Vedas. They are highly regarded as the ultimate authority in interpreting scriptures.
What Have They Said?
The recent statement made by Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, the Puri Shankaracharya, emphasized the importance of conducting Lord Ram’s consecration in a respectful manner. He mentioned that the Prime Minister would be present in the sanctum sanctorum and would have the opportunity to touch the idol. However, he also expressed his concern about the politicization of this event, stating that he would neither oppose nor attend it. This statement was conveyed to the news agency ANI.
According to Swami Saraswati, the consecration should strictly adhere to the guidelines mentioned in the scriptures in order to maintain the deity’s radiance and prevent the entry of demonic entities. He acknowledged receiving an invitation but declined to attend, stating that it aligns with his policy and principles. He further mentioned that despite this decision, he continues to visit Ayodhya.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand, the shankaracharya of the Uttarakhand mutts, has firmly stated that he will not be present at the upcoming event scheduled for next week. He emphasized that the construction of the Ram Temple should not be seen as a symbol of victory for Sanatan Dharma or the Hindu religion, contrary to the claims made by the BJP.
According to him, the presence of a temple dedicated to Lord Ram in Ayodhya predates the current construction. Therefore, he believes that this temple should not be considered as a “gift” or a “triumph” for the religion. Instead, he expressed his desire to visit and celebrate with great enthusiasm when cow slaughter comes to an end in the country.
Shankaracharyas Who Have Been Silent
The Sringeri mutt’s Shankaracharya Bharati Teerth and the Sharda Peeth’s Shankaracharya Sadanand Saraswati, both located in Dwarka, Gujarat, have remained silent thus far regarding their attendance at the event. However, they have released statements refuting the reports and expressing their support for the January 22 event, although they have not confirmed their attendance. The Sringeri mutt dismissed the reports as false propaganda and urged everyone to rely only on information published on their official website and social media platforms. Similarly, the Dwarka Sharda Peeth labeled the news as misleading and emphasized their desire for the Pran Pratishta programs to be conducted in accordance with the Vedas and scriptures.
Nevertheless, ANI was informed by Acharya Satyendra Das, the head priest of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, that all actions are being carried out in accordance with the shastras.
Political Row Over Shankaracharyas
The BJP has relentlessly criticized the Congress as “anti-Hindu” for the refusal of top leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to attend the event, advocating for a separation between religion and politics. In response, the Congress has highlighted the absence of the shankaracharyas to reinforce its stance.
Both the opposition party and the shankaracharyas have found common ground on a crucial point – the temple remains incomplete and, as per the religious leaders, cannot be consecrated. Additionally, the shankaracharyas have expressed that the chosen date, January 22, is inauspicious, as reported by the media.
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot stated, “When they politicized the event… our guiding Shankaracharyas declared their non-attendance. This issue has gained such significance that all Shankaracharyas are now boycotting. Their collective decision holds great importance.”
In addition to the aforementioned statements, Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj accused the BJP of attempting to create divisions in the country based on religious lines. He emphasized that the Shankaracharyas have expressed their belief that the consecration of an incomplete temple cannot take place. Bharadwaj further asserted that if this event is not considered religious, then it must be viewed as a political matter.
Up until now, the senior leaders of the BJP have remained silent on this issue. However, Union Minister Narayan Rane, on Saturday, urged the Shankaracharyas to offer their blessings instead of criticizing the Ram Temple event. Rane highlighted that no one had been able to undertake the construction of the Ram Temple until now, and it is thanks to the efforts of Prime Minister Modi and the BJP that the temple is now being built. He questioned whether the Shankaracharyas should bless or criticize this endeavor, suggesting that their perspective may be influenced by a political lens. Rane concluded by stating that the Shankaracharyas should clarify their contributions to Hinduism.