Udupi (Karnataka): Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Lakh Kantha Gita Parayan program at the Sri Krishna Matha in Udupi on Friday. After reciting verses from the Bhagavad Gita, he praised the good governance model of the Jan Sangh, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s predecessor party. Earlier, during the program, PM Modi recited the Bhagavad Gita in unison with over 100,000 people, including students, monks, scholars, and people from diverse backgrounds.
Addressing the program, the Prime Minister recalled the work done by former Karnataka MLA V.S. Acharya in Udupi. He said, “Visiting Udupi is very special for me. Udupi has been the birthplace of the Jan Sangh and Bharatiya Janata Party’s model of good governance. In 1968, the people of Udupi elected V.S. Acharya of the Jan Sangh to the Udupi Municipal Corporation. With this, Udupi laid the foundation for a new governance model.” The cleanliness drive we see today was adopted by Udupi five decades ago. Udupi began building a model water supply and drainage system in the 1970s. Renewed Strength for Mind and Body
He further said that the world witnessed India’s “divinity” when one lakh people recited verses from the Bhagavad Gita. The Prime Minister said that when one lakh people recite verses and the divine words resonate in one place, the energy released gives new strength to our mind and body. This energy is the force behind spirituality and social unity. Describing the connection between Udupi and Dwarka in Gujarat, PM Modi praised Jagadguru Madhavacharya, the founder of the monastery. “I am very happy.” He said that three days ago, I was in Kurukshetra, the land of the Gita, and today, with the blessings of Lord Krishna, I am coming to the land of Jagadguru Madhavacharya, which gives me immense joy. I was born in Gujarat, and Gujarat and Udupi have a deep connection. It is believed that Mother Rumini worshipped the idol of Lord Krishna in Dwarka, which was later installed by Jagadguru Madhvacharya. Last year, I visited Dwarka under the sea. The ‘darshan’ of the Krishna idol here gave me a profound and spiritual experience.
During his speech, PM Modi also asked his security and police personnel on duty to collect paintings made by children for him. Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji, the 30th priest of the Jagadguru Madhvacharya lineage, honored the Prime Minister with a ‘Raksha Kavach’ (protective shield) and a peacock feather headgear. Before the recitation, Prime Minister Modi interacted with saints at the Sri Krishna Matha in Udupi.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Suvarna Tirtha Mandapam located in front of the Krishna sanctum sanctorum and dedicated the Kanaka Kavach (gold cover) for the sacred Kanakana Kindi, a sacred window through which Saint Kanakadasa is believed to have had a divine vision of Lord Krishna. The Prime Minister’s Office stated that the Sri Krishna Matha in Udupi was established 800 years ago by Sri Madhvacharya, the founder of the Dvaita philosophy of Vedanta.
Prior to attending the event, PM Modi held a road show in Udupi. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, and Minister Brihati Suresh were also present.
One Lakh People Participated in the Bhagavad Gita Recitation
Prime Minister Modi attended the Lakh Kantha Geeta Parayan program, a devotional gathering attended by 100,000 people. This included students, monks, scholars, and people from various walks of life. All of them recited the Bhagavad Gita with PM Modi at the Matha.
Tight Security Arrangements
Tight police security has been put in place in anticipation of Prime Minister Modi’s visit. DSP Hariram Shankar stated that over 3,000 police personnel have been deployed. Police personnel from over eight districts, including 10 police commissioners, have been deployed. The entire Udupi city was awash with saffron flags and banners.
School Holidays
Traffic arrangements have been altered in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit. Udupi District Commissioner Swaroop TK stated that all Anganwadi, primary, and high schools within the jurisdiction of Udupi city, Malpe, and Manipal police stations have been declared closed.
Lord Shri Ram Statue to be Unveiled in Goa
PM Modi will then visit Goa, where he will unveil a 77-foot-tall bronze statue of Lord Shri Ram. This unveiling will take place during the 550th foundation day celebrations of the Sri Sansthan Gokarna Partagali Jeevottama Math. He will also address a public meeting afterward.
