‘A very pious day for all Indians’: Punjab Congress chief Warring after visiting temples on Ram Mandir consecration day

Warring repeatedly chanted Jai Shree Ram, Jai Siya Ram as he visited the temples. “I did the service in Bhandara today in the joy of Shri Ram Lalla pran pratishtha. Felt so happy that I contributed my bit,” he said.

Warring, who has been in his constituency since morning, will attend a Bhajan Sandhya followed by Ramleela in the evening. He was seen greeting people in the streets of Gidderbaha with folded hands and clad in the robe of Lord Ram.

The Congress leader also posted in the Punjabi language on his social media congratulating people of Punjab on the pran pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon also visited many temples and joined Warring at the Sanatan Dharam temple, where they hugged each other.

Vijay Inder Singla, a former Congress minister, put up boards greeting all residents of the Sangrur constituency, which he had represented as an MLA.

Over 100 programmes were held in various temples of Muslim majority Malerkotla town.

Ankur Yakhmi, a BJP leader from Malerkotla said, “We honoured all the mandir committees who had organised programmes on Monday morning.”
BJP state president Sunil Jakhar congratulated everyone on the occasion of the consecration of the Ram mandir at Ayodhya.”

In the evening, BJP state president Sunil Jakhar along with other senior leaders went to Devi Talaab mandir, in Jalandhar where the temple management lit 1.21 lakh diyas on on Monday evening. I congratulate everyone on this day,” the Sunil Jakhar said.

Jakhar also visited various other temples in Jalandhar on Monday evening.

People, politicians of all hues embrace Ram, celebrate Ayodhya in unison

Cricket, Bollywood, Mahabharat and Ramayan are among a few things that unite a diverse country like India. When it comes to Ramayan and Lord Ram, one will easily find their optimistic supporters across India. And this was witnessed in Punjab on Monday – unalloyed support for Ram Mandir opening cutting across traditional party lines.

Rich and poor residents, the common man, politicians from different parties joyfully celebrated the historic opening of the Ayodhya temple, uniting in a display of devotion and cultural pride. Politicians of all hues were apparently seen embracing the saffron colour.

On Monday, politicians in several parts of the state were seen in “shobha yatras” (procession), temples and participating in langar service, while residents burst firecrackers, performed “deepmala” ceremony at their home to mark the Ram Mandir inaugural event in Ayodhya.

AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi took out a “shobha yatra” in Ludhiana West constituency wherein he was seen sitting in a chariot dressed to the nines, later he was seen offering langar service and performing pooja, while Atam Nagar MLA Kulwant Singh Sidhu was also seen taking part in a langar service in his constituency. Vijay Singla, AAP MLA from Mansa, was seen in a “shobha yatra” in Mansa town on Sunday as well as on Monday evening. Singla was also seen visiting various temples on Monday morning. Langar service continued on roadsides till late evening in many areas of the state. Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu was seen watching live telecast of Ram Mandir “pran pratishtha” (consecration ceremony) from Dandi Swami temple of Ludhiana. Several business tycoons were also seen distributing sweets among their friends and relatives, apart from organising langars in Ludhiana. Rajnish Ahuja, president of Apex Chamber of Commerce and Industry, organised a “pooja” (prayer) inside a factory (owned by him) and distributed sweets among the entire staff thereafter.

“Many devotees didn’t eat anything till afternoon and had their first meal after the consecration ceremony,” said Vijay Kumar, a resident of Makkar Colony in Ludhiana.

“Shobha yatras” were also taken out in Barnala, Sangrur, Patiala, Muktsar and other towns of Punjab.

To commemorate the occasion, city-based businessman Hemant Sood, MD of Findoc Investmart Private Limited, bought a miniature model of Ayodhya Ram Mandir at the e-auction of mementoes and gifts presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sood confirmed the purchase, but refused to divulge the price. Talking to the media on Monday, Sood said, “You can call it my little contribution in national interest.” The online auction has been going on for about a month now.

“Being a devotee of Lord Ram, I am feeling blessed to have got this model of the temple. I appreciate the PM’s feeling behind this e-auction, as he will use the money earned out of it in national interest,” he said. Sood’s entire office staff was given a full day off on Monday.

Batala resident cycles to Ayodhya

Batala-based Nitin Bhatia has embarked on a bicycle yatra to Ayodhya to pray for his ailing son.

Bhatia hit the road, along with some essential paraphernalia, on January 17 morning displaying a placard that read “Batala to Ayodhya” cycle yatra (distance 1,115 km). Slogans of “Jai Shree Ram” and “Jai Hind” were also written on the placard. His bicycle also has a flag with Lord Ram inscribed on it.

Bhatia had told the media that his son is not keeping well and he is going to Ayodhya to pray for his son.

“I am sure my prayers will be answered. Despite the tough weather, I have decided to go on bicycle all the way to Ayodhya, and by the blessings of Lord Ram, I will ride it out,” he had told the media earlier.

Although he was supposed to reach Ayodhya on Monday, The Indian Express could not confirm if he has reached the temple town. Bhatia had bought a black bicycle only for this purpose.

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