In a religion-based country like India people building temples for their beloved icons is not a surprising occurrence. Temples of Mahatma Gandhi, Rajanikanth, actress Khushboo, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and even Hindi film icon Amitabh Bachchan were constructed by their fans in different parts of the country. Taking a cue from such undeterred dedication, one more temple has come up near Rajkot to honour Prime Minister Narendra Modi and consecration ceremony of his idol has been kept by Modi supporters on Sunday.
Though the construction work of Modi’s temple was initiated a couple of years ago, it got momentum after the Gujarat Chief Minister became the Prime Minister. A die-hard fan of Modi, Ramesh Undhad has contributed quite a sum of money for the construction of the temple, which is drawing a large number of people.
“It took nearly four years to carve the idol of Modiji. It cost us about Rs1.65 lakh. Sculptors from Odisha were given order for the idol which looks exactly like PM Modi. When artists from Odisha were making Modiji’s idol, we had kept his photo in the temple,” said Undhad, adding that for him and many others Narendra Modi is a statesman just like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Just like any other temple, at Modi temple too morning and evening prayers are being conducted in which large number of people not only from Kotharia village, but also from neighbouring villages participate, claims Mansukh Thumar, a resident of the village, adding that he wishes every village would have such temple in the country. “The temple will be inaugurated on February 15,” he added.