Mandya: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Amit Shah, who is on a three-day visit to the State to strengthen the party unit’s organisational structure, yesterday visited the Adichunchanagiri Mutt at Bellur in Nagamangala taluk of Mandya district, a major religious centre for the Vokkaliga community.

Shah was given a rousing welcome by Mutt students, folk artistes and the Mutt authorities. Shah visited Sri Kalabhairaveshwara Temple and the Samadhi of Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji. He also released a book titled ‘The Story of a Guru’ on Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji, penned by writer Sudhamahi Regunathan.

Later speaking, Shah hailed Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji’s contribution to the field of education, health and environment.

Terming his visit to Adichunchanagiri and releasing the book as a ‘memorable one’ in his life, Shah said that the Mutt is performing its religious duties, helping people and imparting education to all. Paying rich tributes to Bengaluru Founder ‘Nadaprabhu’ Kempegowda, he said that Kempegowda was fond of establishing religious centres. Kempegowda, a chieftain under the Vijayangar empire, had dreamt of a model city and developed Bengaluru to be a centre for trade and education.

Hailing religious Mutts for encouraging religious and spiritual activities, Shah said that the Adichunchanagiri Mutt was doing commendable work by running 464 educational institutions with 1.35 lakh students. He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had become a ambassador of Indian culture, by spreading it to the world.

The Mutt Seer Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji, in his address, said that the head of Goraknatha Peetha Yogi Adityanath has become the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, but the Adichunchanagiri Mutt has always stayed away from politics. Clarifying that the Mutt will not plunge into politics, he said that it will continue to only bless leaders.

Stating that Shah’s visit was not fixed in a hurry as the Mutt had extended invitation two years ago, he said Shah, who believes in religion, was invited to release the book on Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji.

Later, the BJP President visited Adichunchanagiri Medical and Engineering Colleges and addressed the students. The Seer felicitated Shah by presenting him a silver idol of Ganesha.

Union Ministers D.V. Sadananda Gowda and H.N. Ananth Kumar, BJP State President B.S. Yeddyurappa, former Deputy CM R.Ashok, Delhi MP Mahesh Giri and others were present.

Interestingly, Former External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, who recently quit the Congress and joined the BJP, was not present at the programme.