Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for an 81-foot-tall Lord Shiva statue at the Varadayini Mata temple complex in Rupal, Gandhinagar district, on Friday, as part of his religious engagements during Navratri.
Officials said Shah prayed at the temple and sought blessings before participating in the ceremony. The proposed statue will stand within the Shaktipeeth Shri Varadayini Mataji temple complex.
Shah later visited the Bahuchara Mata temple in Mansa with his family on the sixth day of Sharadiya Navratri.
He offered prayers, participated in the aarti and sought the deity’s blessings for the well-being of people across Gujarat and the country.
The visits formed part of the minister’s religious engagements in the state. Shah represents the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency.
Situated around 15 km from Gandhinagar, Rupal is known for its Varadayini Mata temple and annual Palli festival, which takes place during Navratri.
The festival attracts large gatherings of devotees, with a ceremonial procession of the Palli serving as its main attraction. The proposed Shiva statue will add another feature to the temple complex.
Earlier in the day, Shah visited two Jain religious institutions in Ahmedabad to seek blessings from prominent spiritual leaders.
He met Gachchhadhipati Acharya Nar Ratna Surishwarji Maharaj at Prerna Tirth in the Satellite area.
He subsequently visited Shri Vishwanandikar Jain Sangh in Paldi, where he received blessings from Gachchhadhipati Uday Ratna Surishwarji Maharaj.
Shah’s temple visits coincided with the ongoing Navratri celebrations across Gujarat, when devotees gather at prominent shrines to worship and participate in religious rituals.
Also Read: Amit Shah Meets Jain Spiritual Leaders In Ahmedabad, Praises Values Of Ahimsa And Self-Restraint
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