Back home, Dhoni does rounds of temples

RANCHI: India's cricket team skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been doing the rounds of temples after returning to his home state Jharkhand from the recent Australia tour.

In the last two days, Dhoni has visited four temples in the state. On Monday he visited a Shiva temple situated at Muri. He filled a copper pot with water and walked barefoot for around half-a-kilometre to offer water to the deity.

Later Dhoni said that he fulfilled a promise made to Lord Shiva.

Before touring Australia, Dhoni visited the temple and had requested Lord Shiva to ensure India's victory in the Commonwealth Bank triangular series. India won the series by defeating Australia.

He also worshipped at the Ram, Sita, Hanuman and Lakshman temple situated in Muri, some 60 km from Ranchi. Dhoni also went to the Ranjrappa temple to pray to goddess Chinmastika. The temple is one of a chain around the country dedicated to goddess Durga.

On Tuesday, Dhoni visited Mata Deori temple at Tamar block, some 70 km from Ranchi.     

The Indian skipper used to visit the temple since he was playing Ranji trophy matches. He goes to the temple every time he is in Ranchi.

Dhoni's younger brother Narendra Dhoni and parents are also regular visitors to the temple. Dhoni last visited Mata Deori temple after winning the Twenty20 world cup.

Dhoni drove to the temple in his new Toyota Corolla, a gift from the Jharkhand government for his performance on the cricket field.