Prime Minister Narendra Modi is starting an 11-day anushthan (ritual) from Friday ahead of the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ in the run-up to the inauguration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, on January 22.

In an audio message released on his official Youtube channel, PM Modi said it is his good fortune that he will be a witness to this auspicious occasion. He said, “God has chosen me as an instrument to represent all Indians during the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ exercise and that he is undertaking the special religious exercise keeping this in mind.”

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He said he will be starting his ‘anushthan‘ from Panchvati in Nashik, Maharashtra.

“I seek blessing from people,” he said on X.

In the audio, the prime minister noted that it is difficult to articulate one’s sentiments at this time but he is making an attempt. “I am emotional. First time in life, I am experiencing such feelings,” he said.

Officials said PM Modi will be following the arduous guidelines detailed in scriptures related to the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony.

PM Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and other dignitaries will be attending the Ram Temple inauguration ceremony in Ayodhya.

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Thousands of seers from across the country have been invited for the ceremony and the invitees also include families of the labourers who erected the Ram Temple.

Over 7,000 people are on the invitee list of the temple trust, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, including Bollywood celebrities, cricketers, industrialists.

(With inputs from PTI)