Sambalpur, Jan 21: Union Minister for Education, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday visited Maa Samaleswari Temple, paid his obeisance to the deity, and gave Swachhata Shramadaan to the temple ahead of the consecration of Shree Ram Temple at Ayodhya.

On this occasion, Pradhan said that the long wait of 500 years would end with the consecration of Lord Ramlala tomorrow in Ayodhyanagari. The entire Hindu society and Sanatani will stand witness to the historic moment tomorrow. An atmosphere of devotion has now persisted in the whole of India, including Sambalpur and Odisha.

It is a blessing for me to offer the Deepa (earthen lamp) to Maa Samaleswari at such an auspicious moment.

Earlier, the Union Minister had darshan of Lord Sriram, Lord Parashuram, and Hanuman at the Shri Parashuram Bhavan on the banks of the Ayodhya Sarovar Ghat in Hatpada, Sambalpur. There, he also prepared earthen lamps for the devotees. He advised all to keep all the temples and shrines clean and celebrate the day as Diwali by lighting lamps at their respective places.

The Union Minister also joined the consecration of Shri Dham Janakiballabh Temple at Khetrajpur. 

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