Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited the mausoleum of 'Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Tungipara in Bangladesh's southwestern Gopalganj district and paid floral tributes to him.
Prime Minister Modi was received at the mausoleum by his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina, who is the daughter of Rahman. Sheikh Rehana, the youngest daughter of Rahman was also present.
Modi, who was covering his face with a mask, paid floral tributes to 'Bangabandhu' and stood in silence for a few minutes while Hasina and her Cabinet colleagues offered 'Fatiha'. He is the first Indian dignitary to ever visit Bangabandhu's grave.
He signed the visitors' book at the mausoleum complex and planted a sapling at its premises.
Earlier, the Indian Prime Minister offered prayers at the centuries-old Jeshoreshwari Kali temple in Ishwaripur village in southwestern Bangladesh,bordering West Bengal.
There, he announced that India will build a multipurpose community hall for the worshippers.
Modi was welcomed in a traditional way upon his arrival at the temple.
Inside the temple, Modi offered prayers and sat on the floor while the priest was reciting the religious texts.
"Feeling blessed after praying at the Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple, Modi tweeted after offering prayers at the temple in southwestern Shatkhira district, bordering India.
"PM @narendramodi places hand made Mukut on Ma Kali. Mukut made of silver with gold plating. Hand made over three weeks by a traditional artisan," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.
Speaking outside the temple, Modi said that he prayed to Goddess Kali to free the human race from COVID-19.
Noting that a large number of devotees from across the border and Bangladesh visit during Maa Kali mela' at the temple, Modi said a community hall is needed which should be multi-purpose so that when people come here during Kali puja, it is useful to them too.
Modi said India will build a multipurpose community hall at the temple.
"It should be useful for social, religious and educational events for local people. Most importantly, it should act as a shelter for all at the time of disasters like cyclones. India will do construction work. I express my gratitude to the Bangladesh government that they have wished us well for this, Modi said.
Narendra Modi writes in the visitors book after paying tribute at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, at Tungipara on Saturday. PTI
According to Hindu mythology, the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths, scattered across India and neighbouring countries. Records suggest a Hindu king set up the temple in the 16th century.
The Hindu community and temple authorities with the government support redecorated the temple ahead of Modi's visit.
Last time when Prime Minister Modi visited Bangladesh in 2015, he offered puja at Dhakeshwari temple in the national capital.
Bangladesh has taken extra security measures for the Indian premier's visit in the wake of protests by few leftist and Islamist groups.
Modi, who is visiting Bangladesh on his first trip to a foreign country since the outbreak of the coronavirus, on Friday attended the celebrations of the golden jubilee of the country's independence, the birth centenary of Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhaka.
