‘India Experiencing Cultural Rejuvenation’: PM Modi Calls Chhatrapati Shivaji An Inspiration at UP Temple Event

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while laying the foundation stone of Kalki Dham temple at Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh’s Sonbhadra district on Monday, said the country was experiencing “cultural rejuvenation”.

In his address, PM Modi said that he was honored to be part of the bhoomipujan of the Kalki Dham, which is going to be another centre of faith.

“We drew inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for cultural rejuvenation, oneness and the feeling of pride in one’s identity. Hence, laying the foundation on this very day, which also marks the birth anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj, makes the event, all the more memorable and inspirational,” said PM Modi while addressing the gathering.

Kalki Dham temple is being constructed by the Shri Kalki Dham Nirman Trust, whose chairman is Acharya Pramod Krishnam, who was expelled from the Congress for a period of six years for his anti-party remarks. The PM was accompanied by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

“I was told that the day could be possible only after 18 years…There are many such good deeds which people have left for me. I promise, by the blessings of almighty and saints, I will continue to complete all the good work with the same spirit,” the PM said.

Modi called the laying of the foundation of Kalki Dham another golden moment and people of the present generation, “the most fortunate ones” to witness it. “It’s after 18 years that the people of Sambhal have witnessed the golden moment when the foundation of Kalki Dham was laid. On January 22, it was after 500 long years, when the country witnessed the Pran Pratishtha and homecoming of Lord Ram. After a few days, a grand and divine temple was inaugurated in Abu Dhabi. We have seen Kashi Dham and its development, we have also seen Mahakal Ki Mahima in Ujjain, the development of Somnath temple and the development of Kedarghati. The time has changed since January 22,” the PM said.

Besides, he also slammed the previous governments for paying no heed to the development of religious places.

Thanking PM Modi, Krishnam said, “Thousands of saints have gathered here from every corner of the country to see the 18-year-long pending dream come true.”

After the ceremony, Modi also launched 14,000 projects worth more than Rs 10 lakh crore across Uttar Pradesh from the investment proposals received during the UP Global Investors Summit 2023 held in February last year.