Ujjain: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the first phase of the 'Shri Mahakal Lok' corridor, following a puja at Lord Mahakal temple in Ujjain. Modi, attired in traditional dhoti and gamcha (stole), entered the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord Mahakal temple at around 6 pm. Dedicating the project worth Rs 856 crore to the nation, the PM said that the project will help in enriching the experience of pilgrims visiting the temple by providing them with world-class modern amenities.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. Earlier, the prime minister arrived at Indore airport from Ahmedabad where he was welcomed by Madhya Pradesh home minister Narottam Mishra, water resources minister Tulsi Silawat, former Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan and BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijaywargiya. Later, he flew to Ujjain in a chopper where he was received by the governor Mangu Bhai Patel and Chouhan.
Groups of cultural artists from all across India also reached Ujjain for this occasion to adorn the event with folk dance and musical performances. The temple premises were flooded with performers dressed in colorful cultural attires, singing and dancing as they awaited the main event. The devotees visiting the temple were allowed to enter the temple like normal days, though the Ganesh Mandapam was closed for about an hour at the time of the arrival of the Prime Minister. The devotees were allowed to seek blessings from Baba Mahakal from the Kartikeya Mandapam for the hour.
The entire complex of the Mahakal Temple was decorated to amplify the festive vibes of the PM's arrival and the temple inauguration. The efforts behind the floral decoration lasted for about two days. As informed by the temple authorities, the flowers were sourced from several places including Pune and Bangalore.
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The security arrangements around the temple were also beefed up ahead of the Prime Minister's arrival. A heavy police force was deployed, while the security forces were keeping an eye on every visitor. “While the PM will inaugurate the first phase of the ambitious Mahakal corridor project on October 11 evening, work on the second phase is already underway. We are on track and by June 2023 the entire project is to be completed,” Chief Executive Officer of Ujjain Smart City, Ashish Kumar Pathak said while speaking to reporters ahead of the Prime Minister's arrival.
