Both nations want stability, love, peace in the world: Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said both India and Bangladesh want to see the world progressing through the development of the two neighbouring countries.

He was addressing the Matua community in Orakandi, Kashiani upazila in Gopalganj on Saturday.

Matua community is a scheduled caste group with a presence in at least six parliamentary seats of the Indian state of West Bengal.

"I was eagerly waiting for this opportunity for many years. During my visit to Bangladesh in 2015, I expressed my wish to visit Orakandi, and today that wish has come true," said Modi.

Mentioning the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, he said both countries have proven their capabilities in handling the pandemic strongly. India ensures that the vaccine, produced in India, reaches the citizens of Bangladesh, he added.

On the second day of his two-day visit to Bangladesh, Modi also visited the century-old Jessoreshwari (Goddess of Jessore) Kali temple in Ishwaripur village at Shyamnagar of the Satkhira district. The Indian prime minister entered the temple at 10:10am and completed rituals at 10:22am.

According to the belief, Jessoreshwari is regarded as one of the 51 Peeths of Sati where various parts of Sati's body were said to have fallen. The Indian premier was welcomed in a traditional way upon his arrival at the temple.

Inside the temple, Modi offered prayers while the priest Dilip Mukharjee was reciting the religious verses. During the prayers, Narendra Modi placed a crown, made of silver and with gold plating, on Goddess Kali. He also offered a red saree, fruits and sweets to Her.

A local craftsman has spent over three weeks making the crown.

Modi announced a grant for the construction of a community hall-cum cyclone shelter attached to the temple. 

The shelter would be used by the devotees during the annual Kali Pooja and Mela of the temple and would also be used by people of all faiths as a cyclone shelter.

Later, he went to Gopalganj and paid homage to the mausoleum of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Tungipara, the first-ever visit by any head of foreign government.

Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana accompanied the Indian Prime Minister.

"The life of Bangabandhu epitomised the freedom struggle of the people of Bangladesh to ensure their rights and to preserve their inclusive culture and identity," Modi wrote on the visitor book at the Mausoleum complex

Modi meets members of Matua community

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met the members of Matua community in Orakandi after delivering his speech for the community.

National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of India, Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla also present.

Modi addresses the Matua community in Orakandi

PM Modi is delivering speech for the Matua community of Bangladesh, a Scheduled Caste group with a presence in at least six parliamentary seats of West Bengal.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech:

"I was waiting for this opportunity for many years. During my 2015 visit to Bangladesh, I expressed my wish to visit Orakandi, and today that wish has come true," says PM Modi.

During Coronavirus pandemic, India and Bangladesh have proven their capabilities. Today both nations are facing this pandemic strongly and fighting it together. India is working to consider its duty that Made in India vaccine reaches the citizens of Bangladesh, PM Modi said.

Modi offers prayers at Orakandi Temple in Kashiani

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday noon offered prayers at Orakandi Temple in Kashiani Upazila after reaching Gopalganj.

Modi reaches Gopalganj to interact with Matua Hindus

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived Kashiani Upazila in Gopalganj for political purpose. 

He will exchange views with the leaders of the Matua community in Orakandi to get the votes of the Matua community in West Bengal elections.

Modi is to visit the sacred shrine of "Matua" community at Orakandi in Gopalganj district. 

Modi pays homage to Bangabandhu at Tungipara

PM Modi has paid homage at the tomb of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after arriving Tungipara.

Modi paid his respect at the grave after 11:30 pm on Saturday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana greeted Narendra Modi on his arrival at Tungipara.

Modi reaches Tungipara

PM Modi at 11:30am on Saturday arrived Tungipara, the mausoleum of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after his visit to Shaktira Jeshoreshwari temple.

Modi en route to Gopalganj

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday morning started for Gopalganj after visiting Satkhira's ancient Jessoreshwari Kali temple,

Narendra Modi visits Jessoreshwari Mandir in Satkhira

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday morning started for Gopalganj after visiting Satkhira's ancient Jessoreshwari Kali temple,

Modi is to visit the sacred shrine of "Matua" community at Orakandi in Gopalganj district. 

Modi's visit to Kashiani Upazila in Gopalganj has a political purpose. He will exchange views with the leaders of the Matua community in Orakandi to get the votes of the Matua community in West Bengal elections.

Bangladesh redecorated two Hindu temples ahead of Modi's two-day visit.

Why Modi visiting Jashoreshwari Kali Mandir?

Jashoreshwari Kali Mandir is an ancient holy place dedicated to the goddess Kali, the chief deity of power in Hinduism, and is believed to have fallen.

The name "Jeshoreshwari" means "Goddess of Jeshore."

Jeshoreshwari is regarded as one of the 51 Peeth of Sati; according to the belief, it is where the various parts of Sati's body are said to have fallen.

Jeshoreshwari represents the site where the palm of Sati fell.

Narendra Modi arrived in Dhaka on 26 March on a two-day state visit to join the ongoing celebration of "Mujib Borsho", the centenary of birth of Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman that coincides with the country's 50th anniversary of independence.

On his arrival at the airport, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received her Indian counterpart at the airport.

The Indian premier is one of the world leaders to attend the 10-day celebration. This is the first foreign visit of Narendra Modi since the Covid-19 onset.