New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attended the commemoration of the 1111th Avataran Mahotsav of Bhagwan Shri Devnarayan Ji in Rajasthan.
Addressing the gathering the Prime Minister said, "We take pride in the thousands of years old our history, civilisation, and culture. Several civilisations of the world ended with time. Several attempts were made to break India geographically, culturally, socially and ideologically. But no power could finish India."
"India is not just a tract of land but also an expression of our civilisation, culture, harmony, and possibilities. That is why India is laying the foundation for its glorious future. The biggest inspiration behind this is the power of our society, of crores of people of the country," he added, as per news agency ANI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the event to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Devnarayan, a folk deity revered by the Gurjar community, in Bhilwara district in Rajasthan.
The programme was held at Malaseri Dungri village, the birthplace of Lord Devnarayan, who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The village is 60 km from Bhilwara.
Earlier news agency PTI reported sources in the BJP as saying that the Prime Minister's visit was not political but it would give the party an advantage ahead of the assembly polls in the state.
The Gurjar community has a significant influence on several assembly seats, particularly in eastern Rajasthan.
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"The community is disappointed with the Congress as Sachin Pilot, who is a Gurjar, was not made the chief minister and its advantage would go to the BJP and the PM's rally would have a major impact," PTI quoted a BJP source as saying.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Malaseri Dungri temple in Bhilwara.
Apart from Bhilwara, people from other districts such as Tonk, Sawai Madhopur, Rajsamand, Ajmer and Chittorgarh attended the programme.
PM Modi earlier visited Mangadh Dham, a holy place for tribal people, in Banswara district in November last year.