Modi performs yagna-puja in the precinct of 51-Shaktipeeth in Ambaji

Ambaji, 13 February 2014

-Modi takes blessings of Goddess Adhyashkati at Ambaji temple

-Indian Government has ignored importance of cultural heritage of Indian pilgrimages and to develop them as tourist spots: Modi

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today, speaking at the Pranpratishthan Mahotsav of 51-Shaktipeeth organised at the famous pilgrimage town of Ambaji, clearly stated that the Indian pilgrimages, which are housing the glorious heritage of Indian culture, their religious importance and to develop them as tourism spots have been ignored by the Indian Government. The development of all these three aspects at religious places in India could have strengthen the Indian economy, but, Indian government has had adopted a callous approach towards them.

The Shaktipeeth Pranpratishtha Mahotsav was held to celebrate the completion of installation of 51-Shaktipeeth of Adhyashakti at Gabbar Parikrama at the pilgrimage town of Ambaji.

The Pranpratishthan was done according to the Hindu vedic tradition with yagna-haven amid chanting of vedic hymens at all along the 3-km long Gabbar Parikrama by the thousands of devotees who had thronged the place. So far, Rs 120-Cr had been spent for development of infrastructural facilities at Ambaji, while other development projects worth of Rs 108-Cr would be undertaken soon.

“The women-power (nari-shakti) is being worshiped in Indian culture.” Mr Modi said and describing its importance further, he further stated that “51-shaktipeeths are spread over 17 states of 6 countries, thus, it is not possible for any individual to visit all of them, but I am fortunate enough to perform all these with traditional customs here at Ambaji.”

The Gujarat government has undertaken a task to develop the religious pilgrimage places as the tourist spots with a view to generate employments for the local poor, Mr Modi said. and added that “We have made a successful attempt to provide employments to the tribals of Ambaji.”

The pilgrimage-yatras to religious places are very important for 125 billion pilgrims and thus, developing them as tourist spots could strengthen the Indian economy, but, the rulers of this country have distorted the secularism policy of the country and thus ignored development of Indian religious places as the tourist spots. Ignoring “The Points of faith of 125 billion Indian people” have turn out to be a lost opportunity for the employment generation for the Indian economy. The development of Mecca and Medina as the religious places has strengthen the economy of that country, but, we have ignored the values of our cultural heritages, development of infrastructural facilities there or developing them as the tourist spots, he said.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Gujarat Ministers – Nitinbhai Patel, Pradipsinh Jadeja, Ramanlal Vora, Parbatbhai Patel, Liladharbhai Vaghela and MLA Shankarbhai Chaudhary.