PM Modi arrives in Malaseri to attend event marking Lord Devnarayan's birth anniversary

New Delhi,Jan 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived in Rajasthan's Malaseri to attend an event to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Devnarayan, a folk deity revered by the Gurjar community.

The programme will be held at Malaseri Dungri village, the birthplace of Lord Devnarayan, who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The village is 60 km from Bhilwara.

Prime Minister Modi will address the ceremony commemorating 1111th 'Avataran Mahotsav' of Bhagwan Shri Devnarayan Ji in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, according to an official statement.

Modi arrived at the Dabok Udaipur airport in a special aircraft and from there he reached Malaseri by helicopter. Sources in the BJP, which is in opposition in Rajasthan, said the prime minister's visit was not political but it would give the party an advantage ahead of the assembly polls in the state.

The Gurjar community has a significant influence on several assembly seats, particularly in eastern Rajasthan.

Rajasthan govt declares holiday on Devnarayan Jayanti

The Rajasthan government on Friday announced a holiday on Devnarayan Jayanti. Official sources said the announcement is only for this year.

According to a state government statement, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has taken this decision keeping in mind the faith of the common man and the demand of public representatives.

Devnarayan Board president Jogendra Singh Awana, state Industry minister Shakuntala Rawat, Minister of State for Sports Ashok Chandna and other public representatives had written letters to the chief minister, demanding that Lord Devnarayan Jayanti be declared a holiday.