Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde marked the consecration of the new idol of Ram Lalla at the Ayodhya temple by playing the 'dhol' along with party workers in Thane on Monday. The ceremonial event took place at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and witnessed by millions on television and in temples nationwide.

Fifty traditional musical instruments contributed to a devotional "Mangal Dhwani" during the consecration ceremony. Following the Ayodhya ceremony, Shinde and party workers gathered near the Kopineshwar temple in Thane, his political stronghold, where he played the 'dhol' to commemorate the occasion.

#WATCH | Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde plays 'Dhol' at the Kopineshwar temple in Thane after the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya was completed. pic.twitter.com/SToBahXQOu

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Shinde, addressing reporters, expressed that the fulfillment of the 500-year-old dream of a grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya was a momentous occasion. He acknowledged the efforts of his mentor Anand Dighe during the karseva and emphasized that the Ram Temple is a matter of faith and prayers, not politics.

Highlighting the historic significance, Shinde noted that Lord Ram's exile began in Nashik, and the teak used in the temple comes from Maharashtra. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for setting a date and opening the temple for devotees, countering the taunts from opposition parties about undisclosed timelines.

Later in the evening, Shinde participated in a 'shobha yatra' from Shivaji Park in Dadar to Bhoiwada Ram Mandir in Lower Parel, covering a distance of nearly five kilometers.

On the previous day, Shinde announced plans to take his cabinet, MLAs, and Lok Sabha members from the state for a 'darshan' to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Consequently, he chose not to attend the idol consecration ceremony in Uttar Pradesh. Ahead of the event, Shinde instructed officials to conduct a cleanliness drive in temples and adorn them with lights.

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