Orakandi , Jeshoreshwari temples set to welcome Narendra Modi

Orakandi Thakur Bari, a sacred shrine of the “Matua” community in Gopalganj, is set to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.

All preparations have been taken ahead of the visit of Indian premier who is likely to reach Dhaka tomorrow to attend the events marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Independence of Bangladesh. A festive mood is prevailing at Orakandi village under Kashiani upazila in the district centering the visit of Narendra Modi.

The Indian prime minister is also scheduled to visit Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple at Ishwaripur village in Shyamnagar upazila in Satkhira district on that day. On Saturday, Narendra Modi will reach Tungipara in the district in the morning to pay homage to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at his mausoleum. He will plant a tree there. Later, he will visit Orakandi Thakur Bari. He will also exchange views with the family members of Harichand Thakur and leaders of Matua community.

Four helipads and 500 metres of road have been constructed while the temple and surrounding areas have been decorated beautifully marking his visit. Bangladesh Matua Mahasangha President Sima Devi Thakur said: “Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will come to our Thakurbari. It is matter of pride not only for Thakurbari but also for all members of the Matua community. We have taken all-out preparations to welcome him.”

Stringent security measures have been taken for the visit of the Indian premier. A delegation of Indian High Commission to Bangladesh visited Orakandi.

A festive mood is also prevailing at Shyamnagar upazila in Satkhira as Indian Prime Minister Narendra will visit Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple there on that day. All preparations have been taken to receive the Indian premier.

The Kali temple in Satkhira has been repaired and decorated ahead of the Narendra Modi’s visit. District administrations also took all-out preparations.

High officials of the government, law enforcement agencies and representatives of the Indian high commission visited Ishwaripur prior to the visit of the Indian prime minister. Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple priest Dilip Mukherjee said the temple was established around 450 years ago between 1560 and 1580 during the period of Lakshman Sena or Lakshman Sen, the ruler from the Sena dynasty of the Bengal region on the Indian subcontinent. The temple had been kept shut down for long after the construction and turned into an isolated place.

According to legends, during that period, the General of Maharaja Pratapaditya discovered a luminant ray of light coming from the bushes, and came upon a piece of stone carved in the form of a human palm. Later, Pratapaditya started worshiping Kali, building the Jashoreshwari Kali Temple. As to be the “Goddess of Jashore”, it was named after Jashore, according to wikipedia.

Mukherjee said worship of goddess Kali is held in every Saturday and Tuesday at the temple. Many devotees come here marking the puja. Satkhira District Matua Community President Krishnandu Mukherjee said a festive mood is prevailing among Hindu community members as well all others in the locality. Satkhira Police Super Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman said the security measures are being carried out under the supervision of Special Security Force (SSF).

A three-tier security measures have been taken for the visit. Surrounding areas of the temple have been kept under the surveillance of police from March 1 while check-posts have been set up to keep watch on public movement. Satkhira Deputy Commissioner SM Mostafa Kamal said all preparations have been taken in coordination of all departments to ensure smooth completion of the Indian prime minister’s visit.