Watch: Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, Ravindra Jadeja, Other Sports Stars Reach Ayodhya

Indian cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar, Mithali Raj and Anil Kumble reached Ayodhya for the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya. Kumble, nicknamed Jumbo, said on the occasion: "It is a wonderful occasion, a very divine occasion. Blessed to be a part of this. It's very historic. Looking forward to seeking blessings from Ram Lalla...". Ravindra Jadeja, part of the current Indian team, also reached Ayodhya on the occasion, as did shuttler Saina Nehwal.

While speaking to ANI, Nehwal couldn't express her happiness and asked people to visit the temple in the future. "It is a big day for us. I am lucky that I was given a chance to attend the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. I can't express how happy I am. I want to tell people to come here and visit the temple in the near future," Nehwal told ANI.

#WATCH | Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh | Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal says, "I think this is a big day for all of us. I am fortunate to have received the opportunity to be here today. We will have the darshan of Lord Ram here. So, we are waiting for that moment...I can't express my joy in… pic.twitter.com/HObcVGTJ9D

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024

Meanwhile, former India skipper Mithali Raj said that all the people wanted this big occasion for a very long time. Mithali added that she was happy to be a part of the "celebration."

#WATCH | Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh | Former cricketer Mithali Raj says, "I feel what one feels when they are at a very religious place...We all wanted this for a very long time and I feel it is a calling to be here on this big occasion. It's a celebration and we are all happy to be… pic.twitter.com/59akVMllBG

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024

"We all wanted this for a very long time. It's just a calling to be here on this big occasion and it's a celebration and we are just happy to be a part of this celebration," Mithali told ANI.

#WATCH | Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar arrives at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya to attend the Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha ceremony#RamMandirPranPrathistha pic.twitter.com/72BLcxUnmp

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024

Ravindra Jadeja in Ayodhya ahead of the Pran Pratishtha of Lord Rama. pic.twitter.com/VwJOxJ3rl2

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 22, 2024

#WATCH | Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh | Veteran cricketer Anil Kumble says, "It is a wonderful occasion, a very divine occasion. Blessed to be a part of this. It's very historic. Looking forward to seeking blessings from Ram Lalla..." pic.twitter.com/zKodiqk1bG

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024

The Pran Prathistha of Ram Lalla at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya will be held on Monday afternoon in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, saints, and a host of distinguished guests.

Sports personalities like MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Ravichandran Ashwin have also been invited to the event.

The 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony will begin at 12:30 p.m. amid tight security.

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust announced on Sunday that the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony will be marked by a dazzling musical event titled 'Mangal Dhwani'.

The temple is constructed in the traditional Nagara style. Its length (east-west) is 380 feet, its width is 250 feet and its height is 161 feet. It is supported by a total of 392 pillars and 44 doors.

The pillars and walls of the temple showcase intricately sculpted depictions of Hindu deities, gods, and goddesses. In the main sanctum sanctorum on the ground floor, the childhood form of Bhagwan Shri Ram (the idol of Shri Ramlalla) has been placed.

The main entrance to the temple is situated on the eastern side, which can be approached by ascending 32 stairs through the Singh Dwar. There are a total of five Mandaps (halls) in the mandir: Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prathana Mandap and Kirtan Mandap.

Near the temple is a historic well (Sita koop), dating back to the ancient era. In the southwestern part of the temple's complex, at Kuber Tila, the ancient temple of Bhagwan Shiv has been restored, along with the installation of a statue of Jatayu.

The foundation of the temple has been constructed with a 14-meter-thick layer of roller-compacted concrete (RCC), giving it the appearance of artificial rock. No iron is used anywhere in the temple. For protection against ground moisture, a 21-foot-high plinth has been constructed using granite.

With ANI inputs

Topics mentioned in this article

Sachin Tendulkar Anil Kumble Ravindra Jadeja Mithali Raj Saina Nehwal Cricket