PM Modi takes part in silver jubilee celebrations of Akshardham temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a campaign tour in Gujarat on Thursday,offered prayers at Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar, on its silver jubilee celebrations.

Addressing the gathering PM Modi hailed the contributions of Pramukh Swami to the society. "Pramukh Swami brought about transformative change in society. He was never guided by 'expanding influence' for the sake of it. He was more interested in improving lives of people. What was special about Pramukh Swami was that he understood the importance of changing with times and yet retaining a human touch," he said.

Further the Prime Minister said that "Akshardham temples stand out for excellent management and usage of technology. For this, we will always be grateful to Pramukh Swami. The temples are beautiful, ahead of their times. I assure you- you may not enter the temple as a Bhakt but you will leave as one, he said.

Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar, which was, 25 years ago, inaugurated by Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sansthan(BAPS)'s former head priest Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

Modi had been always close to the Maharaj and had also attended his cremation ceremony held in Sarangpur in 2016. When Modi had given a speech at the time, he had said, "I feel that I have lost my father."

Interestingly, out of the around 25 lakh followers of the sect, more than 80 per cent are from the Patel community and would thus help as soothing balm with the Patel community.

Earlier, children perform a welcome dance, wearing tricolour costume, to a song with lyrics comprising 'Vande Mataram', in the Akshardham complex.

OneIndia News