Aaditya seeks blessings from Lord Rama, visits Iskcon

Mumbai: Maharashtra Tourism and Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray visited the Ayodhya temple town for a comprehensive Darshan-seeking pilgrimage on Wednesday sans politics or disruptions created by political detractors, with UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paving the way for the Shiv Sena leader’s devotion for Ram Lalla.

As reported by First India, even amid the row over MNS leader Raj Thackeray’s previously proposed visit to Ayodhya on June 05, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had emphatically stated that all devotees would be welcomed and no obstacles would be permitted under his government. Although Raj Thackeray later deferred his visit on account of hip surgery, his nephew and Maharashtra minister Aditya Thackeray’s visit has succeeded in blowing up any doubts created about future visits to the temple town by Maharashtrians.

The younger Thackeray told the media that his father and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray would write to his counterpart in UP seeking the allocation of 100 acres of land for the construction of a Maharashtra Sadan where Lord Rama’s devotees from the state could be accommodated during future pilgrimages.

“The Shiv Sena’s god Balasaheb Thackeray was the first to demand the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. In 2018, Uddavji and I visited the temple town and he reiterated Balasaheb’s vision and stated that first the Ram temple should be constructed before talks of government formation. Coincidentally, the apex court of India paved the way for the Ram temple in November 2019, after which the (MVA) government was also installed (as Balasaheb and Uddhav had envisioned).”

He emphasized that he was on a purely religious visit to Ayodhya and was also invited by the Iskcon facility there. “I visited the Iskcon facility and was asked by the Krishna devotees there to replicate the Iskcon facility created in Mumbai city in Ayodhya as well. I enjoyed the lunch of prasad served here. Sena’s politics is simple and clean. We will give up our lives but, fulfil promises we have made. I will pray (to Lord Rama) to help us usher in Ram Rajya in Maharashtra,” Aditya Thackeray said.

Responding to a media query he said, “I did not experience any objections and protests and am very happy to be benefiting from the darshan of Lord Rama, Sita Mata, and Hanumana. In Maharashtra, our government’s efforts to handle the pandemic were much appreciated and, we accorded priority to relief efforts for stranded migrants from Uttar Pradesh. Many sadhus and saints have welcomed me with open arms. This visit is not political but religious. Shakti and Bhakti are one and the same for us. Our Bhakti is our Shakti,” Thackeray said.