Celebrate Ram Mandir Consecration Like Deepavali: Hema Malini

Veteran actress and BJP MP Hema Malini presented a dance drama based on the Hindu epic Ramayana in Ayodhya ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, scheduled to take place on January 22. Vedic rituals for the ceremony began on January 16, a week before the main ceremony, and Malini performed alongside Vishal Nayak, who played Lord Ram.

Speaking to Republic on the sidelines, Malini expressed her excitement about the consecration of the Ram Mandir and invited everyone to visit the temple once it is complete.

An experience like never before: Hema Malini on travelling to Ayodhya with Ram bhakts  

Talking about the experience of travelling with Ram bhakts on a flight to Ayodhya, Hema Malini shared that her co-passengers were chanting Jai Shri Ram throughout the journey. "It was an experience like never before," she said.

"I am elated. I won't be able to express it in words. The people who were travelling on the flight were chanting Jai Shri Ram throughout the journey. The entire nation and even outside the excitement is palpable. It is not just for one person, the Ram Mandir is being built for everyone, the entire nation. People are devoted to Maryada Purushottam Ram. This is just one of the temples that is coming up. After Ayodhya and Mathura and other places, temples will come up. Like Mathura, Ayodhya will become city of temples."

On being asked about political divide over the Ram Mandir and how some politicians have said that they will not visit Ayodhya on day of Pran Pratishtha but later, Malini shared, "That's too funny. Even if they come later, they will earn good karma."

Hema Malini credits PM and UP CM for transforming state of temples in North India

Talking about the upkeep of temples in North India and crediting PM Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath for transforming their state in Uttar Pradesh, Malini said, "Ayodhya was just a small district. People did not know much about it. Modi ji has breathed life into it. Kashi Vishwanath was in a bad state. I used to visit the city for my performances. But now, things have changed completely. Temples in South India like Tirupati have always been in a very good state. The same was not in North India. I will give credit to Yogi Adityanath ji for taking interest in getting things done. Even in Mathura, a lot of development has taken place. Everyone is chanting Jai Shri Ram."

Speaking about the fervour that is surrounding the Ram Mandir inauguration, Malini said that its a moment to celebrate around the world. "Everyone should celebrate it like Deepavali and light diyas. Come and visit Ayodhya and the Ram Mandir. It will look more beautiful once its complete," she concluded.

According to the Sri Ram Janambhoomi Trust, arrangements are being be made for 10,000-15,000 people to descend in Ayodhya on January 22. Several celebrities like Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Ram Charan, Anupam Kher, Amitabh Bachchan, Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma and others are likely to attend the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.