Ahead of polls, Narendra Modi tours temples during 'yatra'

This is the first time in his 10 years as chief minister that Narendra Modi is openly showing piety.

With just a few months left for the assembly elections in the state, it seems Modi has decided to take the blessings of all the famous deities of Gujarat during his month-long Swami Vivekanand Yuva Vikas Yatra.

He inaugurated the Yatra from Becharaji temple on September 11 as the Goddess at Becharaji is his Kuldevi (family deity). The second leg of his Yatra began on September 13 from a small village, Unai, in Navsari district which has a famous goddess temple.

Now he is set to begin the third leg of the Yatra from the famous Goddess Ambaji temple in Danta (Banaskanta district) on Monday. 

The upcoming assembly election is considered crucial for Modi as he wants to be the prime minister of India. However, he is currently facing the heat not only from the Congress but also from former BJP leaders like Keshubhai Patel and Gordhan Zadaphia.

Further, the chief minister has also come in for criticism in the state from the opposition parties allegedly for paying attention to the needs of industrialists and ignoring the common man.  S

ources in the BJP involved in taking out the Yatra said that Modi will set off on the fourth leg either from Chotila in Surendranagar or Pavagadh in Halol district. Chotila is a well-known seat of worship of Goddess Chamunda while Pavagadh has the famous temple of Goddess Mahakali.

Incidentally, the CM fasts on all the nine days of Navratri even if he has a busy schedule. He fasts even during election campaigns. According to family, Modi has had deep faith in the Goddess right from childhood.

“It is not that Narendrabhai has started worshiping the Goddess after becoming the CM. He always had great faith in the deity,” said Prahald Modi, the chief minister’s younger brother.  Regarding the launch of the Yatra from Becharaji, Prahlad Modi said: “Beharaji Goddess is our Kuldevi and our family worships the Goddess on auspicious occasions.”