L K Advani performs puja at Somnath temple

Rajkot, Sep 25: Former Deputy Prime Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Leader L K Advani today performed Puja at the historic temple of Somnath from where he began his ''Yatra'' on the same day, 16 years ago.

Accompanying him were Gujarat's Urban Development Minister I K Jadeja and Mehsana's MLA Jayantibhai Barot from Ahmedabad.

Mr Advani, straight away drove to Somnath temple from Keshod at around 1115 hrs.

Since 1990, Mr Advani has been coming to Somnath on this day every year for the darshan' of Lord Somnath. A new chapter in Indian politics began when he embarked on the 'Rath Yatra' from here 16 years ago.

Mr Advani arrived in this coastal town in Junagadh district this morning to mark the 16th anniversary of his maiden Rath Yatra' to Ayodhya in 1990 which also coincided with the birth anniversary of veteran leader Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay.

Mr Advani spent one hour in Somnath before leaving for Rajkot.

Mr Advani will dedicate newly constructed building of Zonal office of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) to the people this afternoon.

UNI