Quite a few film folk attended the pran pratishtha ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Arun Govil, who played Ram, and Dipika Chikhlia, who played Sita, in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan graced the Shree Hanumant Dharmik Ramleela committee's Ram Leela in east Delhi over the weekend.
Not only will Arun Govil, Sunil Lahiri and Deepika Chikhalia attend the Pran Pratistha ceremony, Moti Sagar, Ramanand Sagar's son, also received an invitation.
'I'd love to do more roles. But I will only accept parts keeping in mind my image as Sita.'
A fascinating excerpt from Shantanu Gupta's book, Teachings from the Ramayana on Family & Life.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has sent invitations to 7,000 people, including 3,000 VVIPs, for the consecration.
'Our greatest enemies lie within us Kama -- selfish desires; krodha -- anger; moha -- attachment; lobha -- greed; madha -- pride and matsarya -- envy. Life is a constant battle against these dark forces. An enlightening excerpt from Priya Arora's book, Rama: A Man of Dharma.
'There was little money back then. Now when the series has had a successful re-run, some royalty seems right. Why not?'
Besides, various representatives of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and their allies are also aiding in hand-delivering the invitations.
The 'Pran Pratishtha' of the idol of Ram Lalla -- the childhood form of Lord Ram -- will be attended by people from all walks of life, including representatives of major spiritual and religious sects of the country and of various tribal communities and prominent personalities.
'They must have thought that this kind of tapori language would please the common man, but they don't suit Hanumanji.'
While about 8,000 people are in the long list of invitees, the select list features 506 A-listers, including prominent politicians, leading industrialists, top film stars, sportspersons, diplomats, judges and high priests.