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Updated January 16th, 2019 at 06:28 IST

PM Modi offers prayers at Kerala's Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple for 'development of India'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday offered prayers at the centuries-old Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple here, known as one of the 108 'divyadesams' of Lord Vishnu.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday offered prayers at the centuries-old Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, known as one of the 108 'divyadesams' of Lord Vishnu. 

PM Modi, who entered the sprawling shrine through the eastern entrance, spent about 20 minutes there.

Earlier, while speaking at a function at neighbouringKollam district, the Prime Minister said he would seek blessings of Lord Padmanabhaswamy for the "welfare of people of Kerala and other parts of the country".

Governor Justice P Sathasivam and state Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran accompanied PM Modi inside the shrine.

READ: 'Mary Kom' Actor Darshan Kumaar Says He Is 'feeling Blessed' To Join The Cast Of The PM Narendra Modi Biopic

Before the darshan, PM Modi inaugurated the multi-crore developmental works carried out at the shrine as part of the union government's flagship Swadesh Darshan Scheme, which is aimed at developing the basic facilities in and around religious institutions across the country.

He unveiled at the east gate, a plaque on the project "Development of Spiritual Circuit: Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple-Aranmula-Sabarimala", being implemented under the Swadesh Drashan Scheme of the union tourism ministry.

Officials said that under the Swadesh Darshan project, the Ministry of Tourism had sanctioned Rs 92.22 crores during 2016-17 and a majority of the work under this project was carried out at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple.

READ: PM Modi Wins First Ever Philip Kotler Presidential Award For "outstanding Leadership And Selfless Service". Details Here

The construction of the heritage walk footpath, bio-toilets and bathrooms, renovation of the Padmatheertham temple tank, electrification and setting up of security systems have been completed at the shrine, dedicated to Lord Padmanabha, under the initiative.

Recognising the tourism potential of the state,the Centre has sanctioned seven projects in Kerala under the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes for about Rs 550 crore.

The centuries-old temple, dedicated to Lord Padmanabha, had hogged media attention in 2011 after its four underground cellars revealed gold ornaments, vessels, jewels and precious stones worth thousands of crores of Rupees during an inspection.

An architectural splendour in granite, the temple was rebuilt in its present form in the 18th century by the erstwhile Travancore Royal family, for whom Lord Padmanabha (Vishnu) is their family deity.

READ: In Odisha, PM Modi Meets Family Of Slain Doordarshan Video Journalist Achyutananda Sahu Who Lost His Life During The Maoist Ambush In Chhattisgarh's Dantewada

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Published January 16th, 2019 at 06:18 IST

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