Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray to visit Nashik's Kalaram temple
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray will visit Nashik’s Kalaram temple and perform ‘maha arati’ on the banks of Godavari river on January 22 — the day of consecration ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Kalaram temple is a historical temple of lord Rama, where Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had led a Dalit protest to enter the temple in 1930. Thackeray said that Ram temple in Ayodhya is a matter of faith, pride and joy and it should not be politicised. He said that he and his party leaders will visit Ayodhya after the consecration ceremony.
Thackeray, who is former chief minister of Maharashtra, said that a long battle has been fought for Ram temple. “We will have a darshan of Lord Ram at the Kalaram temple in Nashik (on January 22) at 6.30 pm where Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Sane Guruji had to stage protests stating that Ram belongs to them as well. We will also perform maha-arati on the banks of Godavari river at 7.30 pm,” he said.
It is also believed that Lord Rama had stayed in Panchavati situated in Nashik with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshman during their exile. The Panchavati is a pious area because of Lord Rama’s stay.
The former chief minister also made it clear that there are several reports regarding Ayodhya’s invitation not sent to opposition leaders. “I would like to request that the consecration of the Ram temple program should remain a religious function and it should not be given a political colour. We will visit Ayodhya whenever we feel like,” he said.
However, Thackeray refused to reveal whether he has received the invitation or not.
After paying tributes to his mother late Meenatai Thackeray on her birth anniversary, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief told the reporters that the party will organise a camp in Nashik on the occasion of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray’s birth anniversary on January 23. “We will hold a public rally at Anant Kanhere Maidan (Golf Club Ground) in Nashik in the evening on the same day (January 23),” he said.