HT Bureau
DIPHU, Feb 8: Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Sunday attended the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the newly constructed Shiv Mandir at Hindu Vedic Kshetra in Dhekiajuli, Sonitpur district, in the presence of Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Acharya said that participating in the Pran Pratishtha ceremony on the historic land of Dhekiajuli was a moment of great joy and spiritual fulfilment for him.
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He remarked that Assam has always been deeply rooted in cultural richness and spiritual consciousness.
The Governor noted that the spiritual teachings of Srimanta Sankardeva and Madhavdeva have kept Assam’s social fabric vibrant, while the ancient Shaiva tradition has continued to flourish across the region.
He said devotion to Lord Shiva is deeply ingrained in the spiritual life of the people, and the newly consecrated temple stands as a symbol of this enduring faith.
Highlighting the significance of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, the Governor said it symbolises the invocation of divine energy into the deity and serves as a reminder to awaken inner consciousness through values, discipline and righteous conduct.
Such sacred occasions, he added, promote spiritual growth and collective social harmony.
Referring to the historical importance of Sonitpur, Governor Acharya said the region, once the capital of the great Shiva devotee King Banasura, has remained an important centre of Shaiva worship for centuries.
He cited revered shrines such as the Mahabhairav Temple at Tezpur and the Gupteshwar Mahadev Temple at Dhekiajuli as living symbols of this spiritual legacy.
The Governor further stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is reconnecting with its Sanatan heritage through major initiatives such as Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Somnath and Ayodhya, reflecting a broader spiritual and cultural renaissance.
Appreciating the role of minister Ashok Singhal, the Governor said the temple, whose construction began in 2022, stands as a result of his farsighted vision and commitment to cultural values.
He added that temples are not only places of worship but also centres of social unity, value education and collective harmony.
The programme was attended by MP Ranjit Dutta, Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam Ravi Kota, National General Secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti Swami Jitendranand Saraswati, Chief Priest of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi, Dr Shrikant Mishra, National General Secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad Ashok Yadav, along with several other dignitaries.
