Prime Minister Narendra Modi – who is in Madhya Pradesh for dedicating to the nation the grand Shri Mahakal Lok on the premises of the world-renowned Mahakaleshwar shrine in this ancient holy city – offered ritual worship on Tuesday within the sanctum sanctorum that houses the sole south-facing ‘swayambhu’ shivling known to man.
Four priests were present along with the visiting dignitary for approximately half an hour. Amidst chanting of mantras, Mr Modi performed meditation while holding a string of prayer beads and a bel leaf. He was seated for about ten minutes behind the shivling. A special rakshasutra was subsequently tied to the Prime Minister. After emerging from the sanctum sanctorum, Mr Modi sat beside Lord Mahadev’s ‘vehicle’ Nandi for approximately five minutes.
Jalabhishek is not performed there after sundown.
Earlier, a special plane conveyed the Prime Minister to Madhya Pradesh’s commercial capital Indore from where he arrived here by helicopter.
Among those present on the temple premises were Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Civil Aviation and Steel Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
