Narendra Modi to visit Puri Jaganath Temple on July 16

BHUBANESWAR: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Odisha on July 16 and seek the blessings of Lord Jaganath at Puri.

"Modiji is scheduled to come on a one-day visit to Odisha. His only programme is to visit the Jagannath temple and seek the Lord's blessings," BJP state president K V Singhdeo told reporters after a meeting here.

Noting that the BJP election campaign committee chairman, is a devotee of Lord Jaganath, Singhdeo said Modi used to perform 'chhera panhara' (sweeping of the Lord's chariots) every year during 'rath-yatra' in Ahmedabad.

According to Sri Jaganath Temple sources, July 16 happens to be 'Sankrant', an auspicious day to pray to the Lord.

Modi will visit the Sri Gundicha Temple, the aunt's house of the Lord. During the car festival every year, Lord Jaganath spends nine days outside the 12th century shrine.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had earlier said after Modi's elevation that he was not acceptable at the national level.