Modi offers prayers at centuries-old Jessoreshwari Kali Temple in Satkhira

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday morning offered prayers at the centuries-old Jessoreshwari Kali Temple at Ishwaripur village of Shyamnagar in Satkhira.

Modi, on the second day of his two-day visit to Bangladesh, was welcomed to the ancient temple with beats of traditional drum and blowing of conches.

Inside the temple, Modi sat next to the priest and offered puja (prayers) while religious text was recited to him.

Ahead of his visit to Bangladesh, Modi said on Thursday that he looked forward to offering prayers to Goddess Kali. The Hindu community and temple authorities with the government support redecorated the temple ahead of Modi’s visit.

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According to Hindu mythology, the Jeshoreshwari temple is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths, scattered across India and neighbouring countries. The name "Jessoreshwari " means "Goddess of Jessore."

Of the 51 Shaktipeeths, the temple at Ishwaripur is the place where the palms and soles of feet of Goddess Sati fell and the goddess resides there in the form of Devi Jessoreshwari and Lord Shiva appears as Chanda.

Later, Modi is scheduled to visit the mausoleum of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Tungipara and the Harichandra Thakurbari Temple in Orakandi of Kashiani in Gopalganj. He will offer prayers and interact with the Matua Community leaders there before flying back to Dhaka.