HM Amit Shah meets senior BJP leader LK Advani ahead of Ram Mandir 'Bhoomi Poojan'

Ahead of foundation laying ceremony of historic Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with former BJP President LK Advani at latter's residence on Wednesday. meeting lasted for nearly half an hour. Sources have reported that Shah visited veteran politician to invite him for 'Bhoomi Poojan' of Ram Mandir on August 5, which Prime Minister is also set to attend. 

Earlier, sources had reported that several prominent personalities have been invited for foundation laying ceremony on August 5 which will reportedly be telecasted live.   prominent guest list includes Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, former BJP President Murli Mahar Joshi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and BJP leader Uma Bharti.  Sources also reported that guest list has been kept short due to COVID-19 pandemic and only 12-15 VVIPs have been invited including aforementioned leaders. 

READ | Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh Likely To Join PM Modi In Ayodhya For Ram Mandir 'Bhoomi Pujan'

't more than 200 people'

According to Trust president Nritya Gopal Das, "Bhoomi Pujan" will be performed with placing of a 40-kg silver brick at sanctum Santorum. Three-day-long Vedic rituals, beginning August 3, will precede main ceremony. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aadityanath will also join "Bhoomi Pujan" ceremony.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Treasurer of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Swami Govind Dev Giri highlighted that to ensure social distancing, only 200 people will be present for ceremony including 150 invitees. He informed that before laying foundation stone, PM Modi will offer prayers to Lord Ram at temple and Lord Hanuman at Hanuman Garhi Temple. All chief ministers will be invited to programme, he told ANI. 

READ | Ayodhya Ram Mandir To Be 161-feet Tall; 'L&T Team Has Reached Spot To Start Construction'

Ram Mandir Trust formation & meetings

Prime Minister Modi had anunced formation of Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Lok Sabha on February 5, with his own former Principal Secretary Nripendra Misra heading construction committee. committee has met several times and has invited PM to lay foundation stone when construction begins. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on March 25 performed special puja and shifted Ram Lalla from makeshift temple in Ayodhya to ar a pre-fabricated temple in same premises.

READ | NCP Backs Off As CM Uddhav Plans Ayodhya Ram Mandir 'Bhoomi Pujan' Visit Amid Pawar's Jibe

READ | RSS Condemns Sharad Pawar's 'Ram Mandir Won't Cure COVID' Remark