The sadhus invited to attend the programmes marking the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya have been asked not to carry their dandi (stick), chhatra (umbrella) and paduka (wooden footwear) with them as such items would be prohibited for security reasons.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is supposed to attend the pran pratishtha (bringing life to the idol) and inaugurate the temple on January 22.

About 7,000 guests from across the country, including 4,000 sadhus and saints, have been invited to attend the programmes, which will start on January 16 as a series of rituals will be conducted before the newly built shrine is opened for the devotees.

“Representatives of all the important temples of India will attend the function. We have made arrangements for the stay of the guests. They have been suggested not to carry anything with them to the venue for security reasons. This includes dandi, chhatra and paduka,” said Champat Rai, general secretary of the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which was formed by the central government in 2019 for the construction of the temple.

He said the area would be under the vigil of the Special Protection Group.

There have been occasions in the past when sadhus have protested against any prohibition on such items, which they have traditionally carried. But they have not reacted yet to the diktat.

The Ram Janmabhoomi trust has also advised the guests to avoid attending the inauguration if they have any illness as they may need to walk for one or two kilometres to reach the venue from the place of their stay and have to sit for three to four hours at a place during the pran pratishtha on January 22. After this, the invited sadhus will be allowed to pay obeisance at the temple, built over 70 acres.

Anil Kumar Mishra, a member of the trust, said: “We are making arrangements for refreshments at 15 places in Ayodhya for the convenience of the guests."