(TOI)
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Aditya Nath Yogi paid obeisance at the makeshift temple of Ram Lalla here on Tuesday, thus becoming the first UP CM since Rajnath to visit the Ram Janmabhoomi.
Though media was not allowed near the site, Yogi offered prayers at sanctum sanctorum after offering prayers at Hanumangarhi. On his arrival at Hanumangarhi, the CM was greeted with the chant of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Ram Lalla Hum Aayenge, Mandir Wahin Banaayenge”. Hanumangarhi priest Sant Dharmdas welcomed the CM on his arrival. In the temple, Rajya Sabha member and erstwhile one of the prominent faces of Ayodhya movement Vinay Katiyar welcomed the CM.
After spending about 15 minutes at the temple, Yogi then went to Ram Janmabhoomi to offer prayers at makeshift Ram Lalla temple. Yogi is only the third CM to offer prayers at the temple. Rajasthan governor Kalyan Singh was the first one to offer prayer at Ayodhya way back in 1991 as the CM, along with his other cabinet colleagues. A year later, the disputed structure was demolished by the frenzied karsewaks.
