New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday offered prayers at the centuries-old Jeshoreshwari Kali temple in Shatkhira district of Bangladesh on the second day of his visit to the nation.

The temple, located at a village called Ishwaripur bordering India, is a popular destination for devotees on both sides of the border.

PM Modi received a traditional welcome at the temple, where he was seen sitting on the floor and offering prayers. He also placed a “hand-made Mukut (crown)” on the Goddess, which is made of silver with gold plating and was crafted over three weeks by a traditional artisan, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

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. pic.twitter.com/xNg0pjrmkZ

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) March 27, 2021

“I had the good fortune to visit this holy shrine and offer my prayers to Ma Kali. I pray to the Mother that the world is freed soonest of the Covid pandemic,” he said after the visit.

According to him, India had asked the Bangladesh government to be allowed to build a community hall in the temple complex. “This community hall will serve a multi-purpose – as a resting place for devotees and as a place for refuge and aid during calamities and natural disasters, especially cyclones. It will be for the service of the people,” he said.

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.

On Thursday, a day before he left for Bangladesh, PM Modi had said he looked forward to offering prayers to Goddess Kali at the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple.

The temple was spruced up ahead of the visit.

When the Prime Minister last visited Bangladesh in 2015, he had offered prayers at Dhakeshwari temple in Dhaka.