Narendra Modi today took part in 'Swachhata Abhiyan' at the Kalaram temple in Maharashtra's Nashik. The PM had also appealed to everyone to carry out Swachhata activities at temples across the country.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi released an audio message ahead of the Ram Mandir inauguration in Ayodhya on January 22. PM had sought people's blessings and announced that he was beginning an 11-day special ritual ahead of the grand Ram mandir inauguration.
On Friday, PM Modi visited at the renowned Kalaram temple in Nashik, dedicated to Lord Ram.
During his daylong visit to Maharashtra, the PM conducted a roadshow in the Nashik before reaching the temple, located along the banks of the Godavari river in the Panchavati area.
Modi, who visited the famous Ram temple just 10 days before the consecration of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22, was warmly welcomed by Kalaram temple trustees, advocate Aniket Nikam, and Dhananjay Pujari. The crowd lining the road leading to the temple enthusiastically chanted 'Jai Shri Ram.'
At the temple, the Prime Minister performed prayers and rituals, including 'pujan' and 'aarti' of Lord Ganesh and Lord Ram.
Chief priest Mahant Sudhirdas Pujari conducted the rituals, and Modi participated in the 'pradakshina' (circumambulation) of the temple. Engaging in devotional activities, he joined the 'bhajan' and 'kirtan' and played the 'taal' (cymbals) with other devotees.
The temple trustees honored Modi with a shawl, citation, memento, silver idol of Lord Ram, and photographs of the temple deities – Lord Ram, Sita, and Lakshman.