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The G20 Summit saw dignitaries from all over the world in attendance. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, accompanied by his wife and the first lady of the UK Akshata Murty, was on his first visit to India as the Prime Minister. Their presence sent waves of excitement among the people here.After he got off the plane on September 8 in New Delhi, in an interaction with ANI, Sunak said he was a “proud Hindu”. He added that he hoped to visit a temple while he was in Delhi. The couple visited the Akshardham Temple on Sunday amid tight security.
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The officials at the temple received a call from the British High Commission about the visit on Saturday. (Image: PTI)
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Sunak was garlanded by six priests on behalf of the sixth spiritual guru and president of Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, Mahant Swami Maharaj. (Image: PTI)
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Women volunteers had welcomed Murty. (Image: PTI)
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The couple removed their their footwear at the Charnavind and walked barefoot inside the temple. (Image: PTI)
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The two participated in Pushpanjali in the main shrine. (Image: PTI)
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Akshata Murty offered a panchang pranam to Swaminarayan. (Image: PTI)
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The couple also visited the surrounding shrines of other deities.
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Dr Jyotindra Dave, Director of the Research Institute at Akshardham, said they were told the couple are regular visitors to the Akshardham temple in the UK. (Image: PTI)
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A replica of the Akshardham temple was given to the couple by the sadhus, Dave added. (Image: PTI)
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The authorities of the temple quoted Sunak as saying, “We were amazed and awed by the beauty of this temple and its universal message of peace, harmony, and becoming a better human being.”
