Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann offered prayers at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir on Monday. Families of both leaders accompanied them.
Tweeting about his visit, Kejriwal said, “Reaching Ayodhya today with my parents and my wife, I had the privilege of having the divine darshan of Ramlala ji in the Shri Ram temple. Bhagwant Ji and his family were also present on this occasion. Everyone together had darshan of Maryada Purushottam Lord Shri Ram Ji and prayed for the progress of the country and the welfare of all humanity. May Lord Shri Ramchandra ji bless everyone. Jai Shri Ram.”
The AAP leaders, their spouses and other family members spent around one hour and 15 minutes at the Ram temple. Both the chief ministers arrived in the city by air this afternoon.
Talking to presspersons after offering prayers, Kejriwal said, “I felt an indescribable calm after offering prayers to Ram Lalla. Lakhs of devotees visit here every day, and it is indeed heartwarming to see the love and devotion people carry. I prayed for the welfare of all," ANI reported.
He added, “It is a matter of good fortune for the entire world that a beautiful and grand temple has been constructed in Ayodhya and lakhs of Ram devotees are coming every day to offer worship.”
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann told ANI, “It was a long pending desire to visit Ram Lalla. I prayed for the welfare of the country." Mann said India is a country of multiple religious faiths where all festivals are celebrated together.
Though Kejriwal, who is the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was invited to the Pran Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of the idol of Ram Lalla on January 22, he had said he wanted to visit it later with his family.
Kejriwal and Mann were hosted over lunch by Champat Rai, General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, AAP UP president Sabhajeet Singh said.
An idol Lord Ram was consecrated at the Ayodhya temple on January 22, in a landmark event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As the inauguration of the temple marked the culmination of a decades-long campaign, mostly under the Hindutva banner, Modi said it was the advent of a new era.
-with PTI inputs.