PM Modi in Pune: PM reaches Pune, inaugurates ‘Shila Temple’ at Dehu

On June 14, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Maharashtra’s Saint Tukaram Maharaj Temple in Dehu, Pune. Later in the day, the Prime Minister will also dedicate the Jal Bhushan Building and Gallery of Revolutionaries at Raj Bhawan in Mumbai.

“Sant Tukaram was a Warkari saint and poet best known for his Abhanga devotional poetry and community-oriented worship via spiritual songs known as Kirtans.” He was a resident of Dehu. Following his death, a Shila Mandir was constructed, but it was not formally structured as a Temple.

According to the official press release, “it has been rebuilt in stone masonry with 36 peaks and also carries an idol of Sant Tukaram.” Later, the Prime Minister will attend the 200th anniversary celebration of the Gujarati daily Mumbai Samachar at Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex.

According to media reports, the temple was closed to the public on Sunday, June 12, in preparation for the Prime Minister’s visit. The police and security presence on the premises has also been increased.

Following the inauguration of the Saint Tukaram Maharaj Temple in Dehu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated in his address on Tuesday, “Saints taught us that discriminating between human beings is the greatest sin, and thus, my government is running on the principles of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.”

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis referred to PM Modi as a true warkari and pradhan sevak in a three-minute speech.

Following that, PM Modi stated that his government will spend Rs 11,000 crore on two 350-kilometer palkhi margs. He went on to say that Sant Tukaram’s abhangs are giving him ‘urja’ and pointing him in the right direction. In 2017-18, the palkhi margs were announced. PM Modi laid the groundwork for the project in November 2021.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a video of himself greeting the welcome committee on Twitter.