22 January,2024 03:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
CM Shinde along with his party workers on Monday. Pic/CM
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday celebrated the consecration of the new idol of Ram Lalla at the Ayodhya temple by playing 'dhol' along with his party workers in Thane, reported the PTI.
The idol was consecrated at the Ram temple in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya city on Monday, an event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and watched by lakhs of people on television at their homes and in temples across the country.
Fifty traditional musical instruments from across the country were part of a devotional "Mangal Dhwani" that resonated during the consecration ceremony.
After the ceremony in Ayodhya, Shinde and his party workers assembled at an open space near the Kopineshwar temple in Mumbai's neighbouring Thane city, the political turf of the chief minister, where he played the 'dhol' (a percussion instrument) to celebrate the occasion.
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The CM will also participate in a 'shobha yatra' in the evening from Shivaji Park in Dadar to Bhoiwada Ram Mandir in Lower Parel area of Mumbai, a distance of nearly five kilometres, as per the PTI.
He will also offer prayers at the temple, sources said.
CM Eknath Shinde on Sunday said he plans to take his cabinet as well as MLAs and Lok Sabha members from the state for 'darshan' to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya later and, hence, was not attending the idol consecration ceremony in the Uttar Pradesh city.
Ahead of Monday's ceremony, CM Shinde had given instructions to officials to carry out a cleanliness drive in temples and also decorate them with lights.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday arrived at the newly constructed Ram Temple in Ayodhya for the consecration ceremony amid grand celebrations in the temple town.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who arrived for the 'Pran Pratishtha' at the Ram temple on Monday, said the consecration ceremony will be completed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as per the PTI.
He said the entire country has become "Ram-may" by taking a dip in the ocean of faith and devotion on the occasion.
In a post on X, Adityanath welcomed all guests, including Modi and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, who will witness the ceremony.
