Full list of athletes that traveled to Ayodhya: Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, and Anil Kumble arrive to Ram Mandir Pran Pratistha for an auspicious occasion
Legends of cricket as well as Olympic winners are among the dignitaries invited to the event on Monday, who have begun to arrive in the holy city.
Sachin Tendulkar, the legend of cricket, departed for Ayodhya. The renowned cricket player was seen leaving for the historic city in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday night at the Mumbai Airport.
Virat Kohli, the current batting master and former captain of India, has already arrived in Ayodhya. He obtained permission from the BCCI to attend the Pran Pratishtha. Anil Kumble, a former cricket player and coach for India, landed in Lucknow on Sunday and proceeded to Ayodhya from the state capital.
Former Indian Olympic Association President and legendary sprinter PT Usha has already reached the city of Lord Rama and posted photos from the banks of the sacred River Sarayu.
At the Sarayu River’s banks, I felt heavenly calm and tranquility. Usha, known online as Payyoli Express, posted on X, the platform that was once known as Twitter, saying, “The river stands testimony to the history of Ayodhya and Lord Ram, blessing the people even today with her riches.”
Saina Nehwal, a BJP member, and Olympic champion for India, arrived at the temple premises to participate in the ceremony. We all have a tremendous day ahead of us, in my opinion. It is a blessing that I have been able to come here today. Here, Lord Ram’s darshan will take place. Thus, we are awaiting that occasion. I have no words to describe how happy I am,” Saina told ANI.
Venkatesh Prasad, a former cricket player for India, has also arrived in Ayodhya. The bowler, adorned in a multitude of colors in honor of the auspicious occasion, was sighted strolling around the city.
Both current Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma and two-time World Cup-winning skipper MS Dhoni are expected to attend the esteemed event and take in the historic moment.
Joining the group are World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev, legendary ‘little master’ Sunil Gavaskar, explosive opener Virendra Sehwag, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, and head coach Rahul Dravid.
Viswanathan Anand, the chess grandmaster, is also invited, so it’s not only cricket that’s involved. Not content to stop there, there will be celebrity athletes like paralympic javelin thrower Devendra Jhanjadia, football player Kalyan Chaube, long-distance runner Kavita Raut Tungar, and weightlifter Karnam Malleswari.
Prominent female athletes are invited; among them are cricket captain Mithali Raj, badminton players Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, as well as Sindhu’s renowned coach Pullela Gopichand.
Celebrities from cricket and other sports are there, demonstrating the ability of historical and cultural events to bring people together. In addition to athletes, the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple brings together a wide range of politicians, actors, and entrepreneurs, underscoring the event’s national importance.
The event will be even more spectacular with the unveiling of the 161-foot-tall pink sandstone monument. The participation of these well-known athletes lends a sporting flair to an occasion that is culturally and religiously significant to millions of Indians, as Ayodhya prepares for this momentous occasion.
