Why should Modi join idol installation reserved for priests? Asks Shankaracharyas

The four Shankaracharyas, revered spiritual leaders in Hinduism, questioned the haste in holding the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, scheduled for January 22, when the construction of the temple is yet to be completed.

Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Govardhana Peeth in Puri, questioned the political motive behind the haste in the consecration ceremony, especially since Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to partake in the Ram idol installation ceremony.

Expressing discontent with the unfolding events, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati voiced his reservations, emphasizing his reluctance towards the engagement of political figures in the sacred proceedings.

The Shankaracharya staunchly holds the belief that Prime Minister Modi should refrain from participating in the physical installation of the Ram idol. According to his perspective, the sacred duty of consecrating the idol should be entrusted to priests and sadhus, rather than involving politicians.

"What necessitates the presence of numerous politicians?" he pondered, providing a rationale for his choice to abstain from the forthcoming ceremony.

The move has sparked controversy, with Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotishpeeth in Uttarakhand, asserting that the event violates the sacred rules of Sanatan Dharma.

Avimukteshwaranand, addressing reporters in Haridwar, emphasized that their decision is not fuelled by animosity but stems from the responsibility of Shankaracharyas to uphold the norms of the Hindu religion.

The primary concern revolves around the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, the consecration of the idol of Lord Ram, taking place before the completion of the temple construction, which is deemed a departure from established Hindu tenets.

The Shankaracharya argued that the temple's construction could have been finalized before initiating the consecration ritual, highlighting the absence of any emergency necessitating a rushed approach.

Avimukteshwaranand, who assumed the role of Shankaracharya after the demise of his guru Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati in 2022, emphasized that their stance is not against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the chief guest at the ceremony, but a commitment to adhering to Dharma Shastra, the principles of righteous living in Hinduism.

Sri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, the trust overseeing the temple's construction, clarified that while the first floor is complete, the entire structure will take two more years to finish. Despite assurances from the trust, the absence of the Shankaracharyas considered the most qualified religious authorities for the past 2,500 years, raises eyebrows and adds an unexpected layer of complexity to the highly anticipated event.

Champat Rai, the general secretary of the temple trust, attempted to downplay the controversy, emphasizing that the temple belongs to Ramanand Sampradaya, a sect within Hinduism, and not solely to the Shaiva, Shakya, and Sanyasis. Rai assured that the ground floor and sanctum sanctorum are complete, with the idol ready for installation.

The remaining two Shankaracharya, Swami Bharati Krishna Tirtha of Sringeri Sarada Peeth and Swami Sadanand Saraswati of Dwarikapeeth are yet to clarify their stance on attending the inauguration.

Swami Muktanand, a disciple of Avimukteshwaranand, asserted that interactions with the other Shankaracharyas indicate their disinterest in attending an event where the temple is still under construction.

As the controversy unfolds, questions linger about the potential impact on the legitimacy of the inauguration and the perception of unity within the Hindu religious leadership. The absence of the Shankaracharyas, who hold significant sway in matters of religious adherence, adds an unexpected dimension to an event that was supposed to symbolize the culmination of a long-standing dream for millions of devotees.