Ayodhya: The holy city of Ayodhya witnessed a historic and deeply spiritual moment on Friday as Mauritius Prime Minister Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, accompanied by his wife Veena Ramgoolam and a 30-member delegation, offered prayers at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple. Dr Ramgoolam became the second head of state, after the Prime Minister of Bhutan, to worship Ram Lalla at the grand temple.

The Mauritius Prime Minister arrived at the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport around noon, where he was warmly welcomed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with flowers, a souvenir, and a red-carpet reception.

The traditional welcome included chanting of mantras, ‘Kalash-Aarti,’ and the sound of conch shells and drums, filling the atmosphere with devotion and spirituality.

The high-security convoy then proceeded directly to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple, where Dr Ramgoolam and his wife performed aarti and offered prayers before Ram Lalla, spending nearly half an hour in devotion.

They also observed the ongoing temple construction work and were shown a short film highlighting the grandeur, intricate craftsmanship, and progress of the temple’s construction, narrated by CDO Krishna Kumar Singh.

In a symbolic gesture, CM Yogi presented Dr Ramgoolam with a model of the Ram temple, while Mrs. Veena Ramgoolam was honoured with a traditional angavastra.

Expressing his gratitude, Dr Ramgoolam said he felt a deep spiritual connection with Lord Ram and described the welcome he received as “unforgettable.” He also prayed for the prosperity of Mauritius and for even stronger cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations.

CM Yogi Adityanath called the visit a “living symbol of cultural unity between India and Mauritius,” emphasizing that the relationship between the two countries is rooted not only in diplomacy but also in shared spiritual and cultural traditions.

With a significant population of Indian origin, Mauritius has kept Ramayana traditions alive through literature, festivals, and cultural practices.

Tight security arrangements were in place during the visit, with police forces, ATS teams, and CCTV surveillance ensuring a smooth and safe program.