Amit Shah Begins Odisha Visit With ‘Jalabhishek’ At Lingaraj Temple

Bhubaneswar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who arrived in Odisha on a two-day visit late last night, visited Lingaraj temple amid tight security and performed ‘Jalabhishek’ this morning, the last auspicious Monday of the holy month of Shravan.

He also performed a Puja near Goddess Parvati inside the temple. Ten platoons of police force were deployed at the temple during the visit.

The Union Minister then had breakfast at Odisha BJP president Samir Mohanty’s residence.

Shah had arrived at Biju Patnaik International Airport here at 1.30 am along with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and was given a rousing reception by top leaders, including Odisha BJP president Samir Mohanty, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi,  National Vice President of party Jay Panda and Opposition whip Mohan Majhi.

After arriving, he tweeted, “Looking forward to attending various programs in Odisha. I am grateful to the people of Bhubaneswar for the warm welcome.” Elaborate security arrangements were put in place on the stretch of the road leading to a private hotel in Jaydev Vihar, where Shah is staying.

During this tour, the Union Minister will visit the birthplace of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and attend the 75th-anniversary function of the Odia daily ‘Prajatantra’ at the indoor stadium in Cuttack.

Also Read: Odia Daily ‘The Prajatantra’ Turns 75: The Journey From ‘Salt Satyagraha’ to Gaon Majlis’

Later, he will hold a meeting of the state BJP’s core committee at its headquarters in Bhubaneswar. He will also attend a book reading session at Mayfair Convention here and launch the Odisha edition of ‘Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery’ at 4.30 pm. This book has been written on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s completion of 20 years in office, from becoming the chief minister of Gujarat in 2001.

The Union Home Minister will depart for Delhi around 6.30 pm.