Ayodhya (Patrika English News): The holy city of Ayodhya witnessed a historic moment on Friday as Mauritius Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, accompanied by his wife Veena Ramgoolam and a 30-member delegation, offered prayers to Ram Lalla at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir.
Dr. Ramgoolam became the second foreign head of government to visit and perform rituals at the temple, following the Prime Minister of Bhutan. Alongside his wife, he performed aarti and sought Lord Ram’s blessings for stronger relations between INDIA and Mauritius.
Warm Welcome by CM Yogi
The Mauritian Prime Minister was given a grand reception at the Maharshi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath personally welcomed him with a bouquet, a memento, and traditional rituals including kalash aarti, chanting of mantras, drums, and conch sounds, creating a deeply spiritual atmosphere.
At the Ram Mandir
Escorted under heavy security, Dr. Ramgoolam’s convoy proceeded directly to the temple, where he spent around 30 minutes offering prayers and observing the progress of the ongoing temple construction. His chants of “Jai Shri Ram” resonated during the visit, drawing applause from devotees.
Symbol of Cultural Unity
CM Yogi Adityanath described the visit as a “symbol of cultural unity” between the two nations. Dr. Ramgoolam expressed his happiness at being in Ayodhya, calling it a deeply spiritual experience.
A special short film on the Ram Mandir’s architecture and construction, presented by Tata Group, was screened for the delegation. Later, CM Yogi gifted Dr. Ramgoolam a model of the Ram Mandir, while his wife Veena Ramgoolam was honoured with an angavastra.
India–Mauritius Spiritual Bond
India and Mauritius share deep-rooted ties beyond diplomacy, with a significant Indian-origin population in Mauritius. The Ramayana, Lord Ram, and Indian traditions remain central to Mauritian culture, festivals, and literature. This visit is seen as further strengthening the historical and spiritual bonds between the two nations.
Tight Security in Ayodhya
Stringent security arrangements were in place for the visit, with ATS teams, police forces, and CCTV monitoring from the airport to the temple premises to ensure smooth proceedings.
