Dang: Former President of India Ram Nath Kovind was on a two-day visit to the holy Dandakaranya region in Dang district, where the Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav of Hanuman temples was organised as part of an ongoing initiative to construct 311 Hanuman temples across villages of the district under the Dang Prayag Hanuman Yag campaign.

The Pran Pratishtha ceremony of eight Hanuman temples (Nos. 168 to 175) was carried out with traditional tribal cultural performances. The temples constructed in Borthada, Behdanamal, Don, Murambari, Kodmal and Kalamvihir villages of Ahwa taluka were inaugurated in the presence of former President Ram Nath Kovind, Rajya Sabha MP Govindbhai Dholakia, donors and local devotees.

The former President, accompanied by his wife and daughter, was welcomed by tribal groups with traditional Dangi, Pavari and Ramayana dances performed to the tune of tribal instruments. Women from the tribal community greeted him by carrying baskets of newly grown grain, a traditional symbol of prosperity. Kovind and Dholakia also participated in the ritual by carrying the baskets on their heads and later performed Hanuman Aarti and recited the Hanuman Chalisa at each temple.

The temple construction initiative has been undertaken with the aim of promoting cultural values, strengthening unity among villagers and supporting the overall development of 311 villages in Dang district. Rajya Sabha MP Govindbhai Dholakia said the inspiration for the project was received from P.P. Swamiji, founder of Dang Prayosha Pratishthan. So far, 175 temples have been completed, he said.

During the visit, assistance was also distributed to beneficiaries from the tribal community, and the former President reviewed various development works being carried out in the villages.

Addressing villagers, Ram Nath Kovind said that children are the future of the nation and must receive both education and cultural values. He said that with education, children from villages can rise to the highest positions in the country, including Chief Minister, Prime Minister or President. Recalling his own journey from a small village in Uttar Pradesh to the posts of Rajya Sabha member, Governor and President, he said devotion, discipline and education make progress possible.

Govindbhai Dholakia said the visit of the former President to the tribal region was a matter of pride for the people and urged villagers to remain united and stay away from addiction, adding that the construction of Hanuman temples should inspire social strength and harmony.

Donors, volunteers, Hanuman devotees, villagers and saints associated with the Dang Prayag Hanuman Yag campaign were present on the occasion. DeshGujarat