Two Shankaracharyas to not attend Ram Temple consecration citing it as political event

While the event will be attended by 10,000 special guests including 100 international dignitaries, two of the four Shankaracharyas invited have declined the same including Govardhana Peetha in Odisha's Puri and the Jyotir Mutt in Uttarakhand's Chamoli.

According to reports, the Shankaracharyas-the most important Hindu religious leaders- said they will not attend as the presence of PM Modi in the sanctum sanctorum, among other reasons, do not comply with the norms.

Those from the Sharda Peeth in Karnataka's Sringeri and the Sharada Peetha in Gujarat's Dwarka, have not, so far, confirmed, or denied their attendance.

Meanwhile, the fact two of four shankaracharyas will not attend has given the opposition significant ammunition to attack the BJP, which has pitched the consecration of the Ayodhya Ram Temple as a landmark politico-religious event ahead of the election.

the Congress party has politely declined the invitation that was extended to Sonia Gandhi and Malliakarjun Kharge.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will install the Ram Lalla idol at the sanctum-sanctorum of the temple at noon on Jan 22, with Prime Minister Modi, and in the presence of hundreds of Hindu seers.