Modi wants to build Kashi-Kathmandu bridge
5 Aug 2014 5:36 AM IST
Prime minister Narendra Modi’s itinerary in Nepal seems to have been scheduled after due consultation with astrologers as it cannot be a mere coincidence that he would be at Lord Shiva’s famous temple on the most auspicious day of Shravan, the favourite month of the resident of Mount Kailash.
During the month of Shravan, prayers are held at all abodes of Shiva and some also hold special prayers – Rudra Abhishek. Modi also offered Rudra Abhishek on Monday. After the prayers, he tweeted, ‘Felt extremely blessed on offering prayers at Pashupatinath Temple this morning.’
He donated 2,500 kgs of sandalwood to the 5th century Pashupatinath Temple which is located on the banks of the Bagmati River in Deopatan, a village 3 km northwest of Kathmandu. A congregation of 150 priests chanted Sanskrit shlokas as Modi performed ‘rudra abhishek’ and had ‘panch amrit snan’. Modi, in saffron, emerged from the temple wearing a ‘rudraksh’ rosary. In the visitors’ book, the prime minister wrote the temple is ‘unique’.
‘Pashupatinath and Kashi Vishwanath (of Varanasi) are the same. I am full of emotions and I pray that the blessings of Pashupatinath, which unite Nepal and India, may continue for people of the two countries,’ wrote Modi, who was elected to Parliament from Varanasi, the city known as the abode of Lord Shiva. The Pashupatinath temple is dedicated to a manifestation of Shiva called Pashupati (lord of animals). It attracts thousands of pilgrims each year, mostly from India. There are many priests at the temple who are from India.
There is a tradition of keeping four priests and one chief priest at the temple from among the Bramhins of south India for centuries. According to legend, the temple was constructed by Pashupreksha of the Somadeva Dynasty in the 3rd century BC, but the first historical records date from the 13th century. The ascetic Pashupata sect was likely related to its foundation.
Modi performed the puja as per the instructions of the chief priest, said Govinda Tandon, the chief of the Pashupati Area Development Trust.
Modi then was offered prasad by chief priest Ganesh Bhatta, who hails from south India. He separately offered prayer at Bashuki temple in the premises of the Pashupatinath. He also offered fruits and a piece of sandalwood to the temple. He offered prayers at more than two dozen temples situated in the Pashupatinath temple complex. There was a huge crowd waiting outside the temple for Modi to come out as the entrance for the ordinary people was closed for an hour. Modi, in saffron dress, emerged from the temple and waved his hands to the large crowd. There was tight security around the temple premises.
During the month of Shravan, prayers are held at all abodes of Shiva and some also hold special prayers – Rudra Abhishek. Modi also offered Rudra Abhishek on Monday. After the prayers, he tweeted, ‘Felt extremely blessed on offering prayers at Pashupatinath Temple this morning.’
He donated 2,500 kgs of sandalwood to the 5th century Pashupatinath Temple which is located on the banks of the Bagmati River in Deopatan, a village 3 km northwest of Kathmandu. A congregation of 150 priests chanted Sanskrit shlokas as Modi performed ‘rudra abhishek’ and had ‘panch amrit snan’. Modi, in saffron, emerged from the temple wearing a ‘rudraksh’ rosary. In the visitors’ book, the prime minister wrote the temple is ‘unique’.
‘Pashupatinath and Kashi Vishwanath (of Varanasi) are the same. I am full of emotions and I pray that the blessings of Pashupatinath, which unite Nepal and India, may continue for people of the two countries,’ wrote Modi, who was elected to Parliament from Varanasi, the city known as the abode of Lord Shiva. The Pashupatinath temple is dedicated to a manifestation of Shiva called Pashupati (lord of animals). It attracts thousands of pilgrims each year, mostly from India. There are many priests at the temple who are from India.
There is a tradition of keeping four priests and one chief priest at the temple from among the Bramhins of south India for centuries. According to legend, the temple was constructed by Pashupreksha of the Somadeva Dynasty in the 3rd century BC, but the first historical records date from the 13th century. The ascetic Pashupata sect was likely related to its foundation.
Modi performed the puja as per the instructions of the chief priest, said Govinda Tandon, the chief of the Pashupati Area Development Trust.
Modi then was offered prasad by chief priest Ganesh Bhatta, who hails from south India. He separately offered prayer at Bashuki temple in the premises of the Pashupatinath. He also offered fruits and a piece of sandalwood to the temple. He offered prayers at more than two dozen temples situated in the Pashupatinath temple complex. There was a huge crowd waiting outside the temple for Modi to come out as the entrance for the ordinary people was closed for an hour. Modi, in saffron dress, emerged from the temple and waved his hands to the large crowd. There was tight security around the temple premises.
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