West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari conducted puja rituals at the ISKCON temple in Mayapur, located in Nadia district. Upon his arrival on Thursday afternoon, he was warmly greeted by ISKCON monks with garlands. Adhikari took part in special rituals at the temple and later visited the cowshed within the ISKCON complex to perform Gau-Seva (service to cows) in the presence of the monks.
He washed the cows’ feet with water and fed them, followed by offering prayers before the Radha-Krishna idols at ISKCON’s Chandrodaya temple. Adhikari also honored ISKCON founder Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada by performing rituals at his temple and offering floral tributes to his statue. Tight security measures were implemented during Adhikari’s visit to the temple, ensuring no inconvenience to the devotees.
The ISKCON monks presented the Chief Minister with a Gaumata statue and planned discussions with him later in the day. An ISKCON spokesman, Rasik Gauranga Das, mentioned that Adhikari’s visit marked his first to the temple since assuming office as Chief Minister. He engaged in traditional Puja rituals and expressed a keen interest in understanding ISKCON’s operations.
Recently, Adhikari declared a ban on liquor shops within a 1 km radius of educational institutions and temples. Additionally, he announced the availability of ‘maach-bhaat’ (fish and rice) in 400 canteens across the State for Rs 5.
