Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Press Trust of India photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today wished the nation on the
occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr and
Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra.
"Greetings on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Marking the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan, the festival epitomises values of brotherhood and harmony in society," PM Modi tweeted.
"May this festival strengthen the bonds of unity and peace in our nation and may everyone be blessed with prosperity and good health," he said.
PM Modi, who was in Jammu yesterday, had greeted the nation on the conclusion of the holy month of Ramzan.
He also extended his wishes on the occasion of 138th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, while fondly remembering his Gujarat days and shared images of him performing rituals in the 400-year-old temple here when he was the Chief Minister.
"Friends, on this blessed day of Rath Yatra, my warm greetings to all of you. This tradition is celebrated across India with great enthusiasm and is now known all over the world," PM Modi said.
"We pay our obeisance to Lord Jagannath, who embarks on his chariot and blesses people. With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, may the spirit of Sadbhavna, unity and joy be furthered in society. With Lord Jagannath's grace, may the poor and farmers attain prosperity," he said.
PM Modi also recalled that as Chief Minister he performed 'Pahind Vidhi' - a ritual to clean the way of Lord Jagannath's chariot- for a record time of 12 years.
"The Rath Yatra brings back many memories from Gujarat. Here are photos from the Rath Yatra of 2013 in Ahmedabad," PM Modi said and posted four images of him, performing Pahind Vidhi and prayer at Lord Jagannath temple.
The Rath Yatra or chariot festival is celebrated by Hindus on the second day of Sukla Paksha (waxing cycle of moon) in the month of Ashadh and the same day the Kutchi community of the state celebrate their new year, which was also remembered by the former Gujarat Chief Minister.
"On Ashadhi Bij, the Kutchi New Year, my greetings to the Kutchi community. May the coming year be one filled with prosperity and well-being," he said.