RSS chief prays for ‘Ram Temple’ in Pune

PUNE: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday performed a puja at the famous Dagdusheth Ganpati Temple in Pune and prayed for ‘Ram Rajya’ and construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple at Ayodhya at the earliest.

Bhagwat arrived at the temple at around 10 am and spent nearly one-and-half hours in the ‘abhishek’ (puja) to Lord Ganesha. The Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati idol located at Budhwar Peth, is among the most revered in the city.

The abhishek puja is performed to seek blessings for success and removal of obstacles in the desired goal.

While chanting mantras, Bhagwat prayed to Lord Ganesha that the construction of the temple at the earliest was his ardent wish.

“It has been my long standing desire to visit this temple and pray to Lord Ganesha. Whatever I wanted to pray for, I have put it in front of Lord Ganesha,” he said, while speaking to journalists at the temple.

RSS’s Pune Mahanagar Karyawah (secretary) Mahesh Karpe who was present with Bhagwat at the temple said that while chanting the mantras, the RSS chief urged for good rains and peace in the country.

The other wish he expressed was for the early construction of Ram Janmabhoomi temple, Karpe said.

Hemant Rasne, head of the Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple’s ‘festival committee’ said the trust had been requesting the RSS chief to visit the temple for the last two years.

Finally, the visit materialised today and Bhagwat, along with some of his colleagues visited the temple and spent almost 90 minutes in the premises.