Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma Offer Prayers at Ayodhya Temples
Star cricketer Virat Kohli and his wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, visited Ayodhya on Sunday to offer prayers. The celebrity couple, accompanied by family, sought blessings at both the newly inaugurated Ram Temple and the historic Hanuman Garhi Temple. Their visit, coming ahead of an LSG vs RCB IPL match for Kohli, garnered significant public and media attention, with Mahant Sanjay Das of Hanumangarhi Temple confirming their morning visit.
Unpacked:
The Ram Temple in Ayodhya is revered as the birthplace of Lord Ram, a central figure in Hinduism. Its history is deeply intertwined with Indian culture and spirituality, making it a major pilgrimage site for Hindus worldwide. The temple also symbolizes resilience and unity, especially following the resolution of a long-standing religious dispute at the site.
The inauguration follows a 2019 Supreme Court verdict resolving a decades-long dispute over the site. The court allowed the Ram Temple's construction at the site and provided land elsewhere for a mosque, aiming for communal harmony. The foundation stone was laid in August 2020, leading to the temple's recent opening.
Hanuman Garhi Temple is a historic shrine in Ayodhya dedicated to Lord Hanuman, a prominent deity in Hinduism. It is considered highly auspicious, and pilgrims often visit it before the Ram Temple, as Hanuman is believed to guard the city and bless devotees seeking Lord Ram's blessings.
Celebrity visits, such as those by Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, attract significant public and media attention, highlighting Ayodhya’s cultural and religious prominence. Their visits can boost tourism, draw national focus to major religious sites, and sometimes spark broader discussions on the intersection of faith, culture, and public life.