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The inauguration ceremony started early morning with havan and puja
With vermillion on his forehead and top Hindu seers by his side, Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off the grand inauguration of India’s new parliament by installing a historic scepter in the brand new Lok Sabha on Sunday morning.
Dressed in his signature white kurta, PM Modi performed puja and havan near the iconic Mahatma Gandhi statue on the parliament premises and later placed the historic ‘Sengol’, the sceptre handed over to first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru by the last British viceroy as a symbol of transfer of power to Indians in 1947, in near the Speaker’s chair.
The new Parliament building, a key component of the Central Vista Project, has been meticulously designed and built at an estimated cost of ₹1,200 crores.
Before the official unveiling, PM Modi, accompanied by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, participated in an early morning puja to seek blessings for the auspicious occasion. Following the religious ceremony, the prime minister honored the ordinary workers who toiled tirelessly to bring the magnificent structure to life.
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Flanked by Speaker Birla and many noted Hindu seers, PM Modi entered the new Lok Sabha chamber with ‘Sengol’ in his hands and a smile and calm in his face – manifesting New India’s commitment to honour its centuries old tradition and knowledge.
After installing the septre, PM bowed before each of the seers present within the hallowed halls of the Lok Sabha chamber to show his deep respect.
To mark the beginning of a new era for legislation in India, an all-faith prayer ceremony was also organized within the grand edifice. A pastor, an Imam, a temple priest, Sikh clergies, a Buddhist monk, and representatives of other religions joined hands in a harmonious display of unity.
As the ceremony progressed, Prime Minister Modi took the time to personally felicitate the construction workers, recognizing their invaluable contributions to the realization of this architectural marvel. With a sense of tradition and gratitude, he adorned the workers with traditional shawls and presented them with mementos as tokens of appreciation.
Commencing the inauguration ceremony, Vedic rituals were performed during a traditional ‘pooja,’ evoking a sense of sanctity within the new Parliament building.
The new Parliament building stands as a pivotal element of the Central Vista Project, which aims to revitalize and transform the heart of the national capital, New Delhi.
The ‘Sengol’ — which was preserved at a museum in Prayagraj until recently – was handed over to the prime minister by Adheenams a day earlier in Delhi. It holds deep significance as a national symbol of the Amrit Kaal. Notably, this very ‘Sengol’ was accepted by PM Nehru at his residence on the historic night of August 14, in the presence of numerous eminent leaders.
The momentous occasion entered its second phase with the resonating notes of the national anthem being sung in the Lok Sabha chamber, reverberating with pride and patriotism as dignitaries gathered to witness the dawn of a new chapter in India’s legislative history.
