Ujjain. Bihar government’s Cabinet Minister for Food and Consumer Protection, Ashok Choudhary, arrived at the famous Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, on Sunday morning and participated in the Bhasma Aarti. Wearing saffron robes and immersed in devotion to Lord Shiva, the JDU leader praised the temple’s arrangements and facilities for devotees. He also took aim at the opposition regarding the village-tax dispute in Bihar.
Bihar Cabinet Minister and senior Janata Dal (United) leader Ashok Choudhary participated in the famous Bhasma Aarti held at Ujjain’s Jyotirlinga Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple early Sunday morning. During the puja, he appeared completely engrossed in Shiva worship, wearing saffron robes and holding a Rudraksha rosary in his hand.
After the Bhasma Aarti was completed, he was welcomed and honored by S.N. Soni, Deputy Administrator of the Temple Management Committee. Speaking to the media after the darshan, Minister Chaudhary stated that he has been visiting the Mahakal temple regularly for the past 25 years and has witnessed positive changes in the temple complex each time.
Praise for the smooth darshan system and Aadhaar-based ticketing
Minister Ashok Chaudhary praised the temple administration and the local district administration for their management of the ever-increasing number of devotees. He stated that despite the massive crowds during the month of Sawan, the darshan process has been smooth and transparent through the online booking and verification system. It is noteworthy that a mobile Bhasma Aarti was also organized at the temple on Sunday, during which thousands of devotees from India and abroad had a divine darshan of Baba Mahakal.
Targeted the Opposition on the Tax Dispute in Villages
During the Mahakal Darshan, Minister Ashok Chaudhary’s statement on Bihar’s controversial “Rural Development Tax” issue also made headlines. Responding to the opposition’s attacks on the decision to impose a tax on villages in Bihar, he clarified that resources and revenue are needed to accelerate development work. He said that the opposition has no concrete issue left, hence it is unnecessarily politicizing every administrative step of development.