Modi in Kedarnath- Seeking divine blessing for success?

After seeking the support of the people through around 150 election rallies and roadshows during the ongoing Lok Sabha polls to return to power, prime minister Narendra Modi on Saturday invoked the gods, a day after campaigning for the last phase of the elections came to an end.

Modi paid obeisance at the famous Hindu shrine of Kedarnath in the neighbouring hill state of Uttarakhand and also meditated at a nearby cave.

He also offered a brass temple bell, weighing 125 kilograms, at the shrine. As per the traditions, one offers a bell, when his wish comes true or when he seeks the blessing of Lord Shiva to fulfill his wish.

The prime minister, who was likely to spend the night at Kedarnath, which was situated at a height of 11,755 ft, would be visiting another famous Hindu shrine of Badrinath, also in Uttarakhand, on Sunday, the day polling would be held on 59 seats across the country in the last phase of the elections.

Clad in the traditional 'Garhwali' (Kedarnath lies in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand) and sporting 'Himachali cap', Modi, who had a saffron scarf around his waist, spent around 20 minutes in the temple. He also performed 'rudrabhishek' (a special puja with milk to please Lord Shiva) at the temple.

He also undertook the 'parikrama' (going around) of the temple.

Later, amid the rains, Modi trekked to the cave, which was situated around 1.5 kilometres from the shrine, and began meditation. In the pictures, the prime minister was seen sitting with his eyes closed in a meditation posture.

According to the sources, Modi would also take part in the evening 'arti' (a ritual with earthen lamps) at the shrine. Incidentally, this is Modi's fourth visit to the shrine.

Earlier the prime minister inspected the ongoing developmental works at Kedarnath Dham, which was one of the most famous Hindu shrines in the country and visited by lakhs of pilgrims and devotees every year.

In 2013, a flash flood had caused widespread damage to the shrine complex and claimed thousands of lives.