BHUJ: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday visited famous ancient temple of mother goddess Maa Ashapura at Matanamadh in Lakhpat taluka of Kutch district situated close to the Indo-Pak border and performed puja and aarti before starting his whirlwind campaign during which he would address four public meetings in poll-bound home state of Gujarat.
Mr Modi who landed at Naliya airport arrived at the ancient temple which is a centre of faith for lakhs of devotees in Gujarat and elsewhere. He is the first Prime Minister of India to visit the temple.
To the surprise and joy of many common devotees, the Prime Minister met them in the temple premises.
He shook hands with them and greeted them. A group of women and children flocked around him and he also obliged them by blessing them and shaking hands with them. He also blessed small children by putting his hand over their heads. He spent a few minutes with them and then requested them to allow others to come in a queue to meet him.
Mr Modi spent around 20 minutes in the temple where the trustees of MatanaMadh Jagir trust welcomed him in person. He also had a chat with some of them.
They briefed him about the recent renovation work of the temple. Khengarji V Jadeja, the representative of the temple trust said Mr Modi suggested them to start gliding like things on the lines of Ambaji temple to attract more people here.
The temple mahant or Gadipati felicitated Mr Modi at his residence adjacent to the temple.
Clad in white kurta pajama and a golden sleeveless khadi coat (Sadari), Mr Modi also met other common visitors standing in the queue for darshan and shook hands with them too.
They looked elated by seeing the Prime Minister from close quarters and shaking hands with him.
The temple situated at around 80 km from here was visited by lakhs of on-foot pilgrims during Navaratri. As per the name of the deity it is believed to fulfill the wishes of the devotees.
Mr Modi would address the first meeting at Lalan college ground in Bhuj and then at Jasdan in Rajkot, Dhari in Amreli and Kakodara in Surat. (AGENCIES)
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