Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi and the Ram temple in Ayodhya on Friday, reviewing construction work in the latter while engaging with local authorities during his state visit to India.
Ramgoolam, accompanied by his wife Veena and a 30-member delegation, was accorded a ceremonial welcome on arrival in Ayodhya by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The route from the airport to the Ram temple was adorned with colourful banners and posters celebrating the Prime Minister’s visit, highlighting the significance of the occasion both politically and culturally.
UP Cabinet Minister Surya Pratap Shahi remarked, "A large number of people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar went to Mauritius during British rule and are in the mainstream there. They have kept the cultural identity of India alive there. We welcome the Prime Minister of Mauritius in Ayodhya." During the visit, Ramgoolam reviewed the temple construction, interacted with officials overseeing the work, and offered prayers alongside his delegation.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister had arrived in Varanasi, where he was received by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and state Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna. At the Kashi Vishwanath temple, he performed the shodashopachar puja at the sanctum sanctorum.
Priest Teknarayan Upadhyay said that he prayed for the prosperity of both India and Mauritius, and for the welfare of the public. Priest Neeraj Pandey added that Ramgoolam was given Baba’s prasad and sandalwood paste, while devotees greeted him with chants of "Har Har Mahadev," which he accepted gracefully.
Also read: PM Modi meets Mauritius PM Ramgoolam in Varanasi
The Prime Minister’s itinerary in Varanasi also included participation in the Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, performed by seven priests from the terrace of Ganga Seva Nidhi due to high river water levels. Ramgoolam and his delegation later took a river cruise along the Ganga, taking in the illuminated crescent-shaped ghats that form the heart of the ancient city.
Governor Patel presented him with a pink-enamelled replica of the Kashi Vishwanath temple, complete with a GI tag, symbolising both heritage preservation and diplomatic friendship.
Ramgoolam’s visit to India, from September 9 to 16, has also included bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. The temple visits reflect the cultural diplomacy that forms an integral part of state-level engagement, reinforcing the historical connections between India and Mauritius.
For Mauritius, where descendants of Indian migrants form a substantial community, the visits carry personal as well as symbolic significance, highlighting the shared spiritual and cultural ethos.
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