Chief of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Dr Mohan Bhagwat inaugurated Santikali Mandir at Santidham in Sarbong under Amarpur in Tripura on Saturday (Aug 27).
Dr Mohan Bhagwat also took part in the Yajna and other rituals as part of the inauguration of the Mandir today.
Speaking on the occasion, the RSS chief said, there are people of many Jati, however, living together in a harmonious way is what is called the life. He also spoke on different aspects of the Santikali Ashram.
Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma, Union MoS Pratima Bhowmik, MP Rebati Tripura, Janajati Welfare Minister Rampada Jamatia, Agriculture Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, BJP state president Rajib Bhattacharjee. Besides, BJP state general secretaries and other leaders also attended the inauguration programme.
The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Chittaranjan Maharaj of Santikali Ashram.
The Santikali mission was started by Acharya Santikali, a popular Hindu priest who was shot to death inside his ashram near Jirania on August 27 in 2000 by armed militants. At present, Santikali’s followers led by Chittaranjan Maharaj run a chain of 24 temples across the State – besides, it also runs several residential schools for Janajati students.
The Santikali Mandir at Santidham has been built in the memory of Acharya Santikali. During the programme, the RSS chief also released a book of religious songs composed by Santikali Maharaj.
Dr Mohan Bhagwat arrived in Agartala on a two-day visit on August 26. After arriving in Agartala, he visited the iconic Ujjayanta Palace in Agartala. He also visited Seva dham at Khayerpur near Agartala on August 26.
On Saturday, Dr Bhagwat entered the temple in an auto-rickshaw. He then inspected the temple premises and inaugurated the new temple by breaking a coconut.
There was a gathering of Sadhu and Sants from various places during the inauguration ceremony.