"Norms Not Followed, Politics": Puri Shankaracharya Won't Attend Ram Temple Event

Nishchalananda Saraswati, pontiff of the Govardhana Mutt in Puri, said the January 22 event is being given a political angle and he will stay out of it.

The Puri Shankaracharya has refused to attend grand consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, stating proper "norms" are not being followed for the event and there's politics over it.

Nishchalananda Saraswati, pontiff of the Govardhana Mutt in Puri, said the January 22 event is being given a political angle and he will stay out of it.

"The Prime Minister will be in the sanctum sanctorum and touch the idol. This is being given a political angle. Lord Ram's consecration must be done in a dignified way. I will neither oppose it, nor attend it," said the Puri Shankarcharya.