Divyangjan group offers prayers at Ram Temple, Ayodhya on PM Modi's birthday
Synopsis
On PM Modi's birthday, former East Delhi Mayor Shyam Sunder Aggarwal led a group of 60 pilgrims — including 25 differently-abled individuals — to Ayodhya for the eighth consecutive year, offering prayers at the Ram Temple and Hanumangarhi for the Prime Minister's long life. The annual air pilgrimage has become a recurring birthday tradition for this Delhi-based group.
Key Takeaways
Former East Delhi Mayor Shyam Sunder Aggarwal led a group of 60 pilgrims , including 25 differently-abled individuals , to Ayodhya on 17 September 2026 .
The group offered prayers at Hanumangarhi Temple and the Ram Temple for PM Modi's long and healthy life on his birthday.
This was the eighth consecutive year Aggarwal has made an air pilgrimage to Ayodhya on PM Modi's birthday.
The group travelled from Delhi to Ayodhya by air , reflecting the improved air connectivity of the holy city.
Aggarwal also praised CM Yogi Adityanath for development and law-and-order improvements in Uttar Pradesh .
A group of 60 pilgrims from Delhi, including 25 differently-abled individuals, travelled to Ayodhya on 17 September to offer prayers at the Ram Temple and Hanumangarhi Temple on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday. The delegation was led by former East Delhi Mayor Shyam Sunder Aggarwal, who has now made this an annual tradition spanning eight consecutive years.
The Visit and Its Significance
The group arrived in Ayodhya by air, first offering prayers at Hanumangarhi Temple before proceeding to the Ram Temple to seek blessings for the Prime Minister's long and healthy life. Former Mayor Aggarwal noted that all eight of his air pilgrimages to Ayodhya have coincided with PM Modi's birthday, making this a deeply personal annual observance for the group.
'We have arrived in Ayodhya from Delhi by air with a group of 60 people, including 25 differently-abled individuals on the birthday of PM Modi, a world-renowned leader,' Aggarwal said. 'We first visited Hanumangarhi and then offered prayers to Lord Ram. We prayed to Ram Lalla for his long and healthy life.'
Voices from the Pilgrimage
Several members of the group shared their sentiments after the prayers. Om, one of the pilgrims, said: 'We have prayed to Lord Ram to grant Prime Minister Modi a long life.' Pilgrim Aaruhi added that she had travelled to Ayodhya by flight specifically to seek blessings for the Prime Minister's long life. Ashok Kumar Kapoor, making his first-ever air trip to Ayodhya, also offered prayers for the Prime Minister, saying, 'PM Modi is working for all of us.'
Remarks on Uttar Pradesh Governance
Aggarwal also praised Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during his remarks, crediting him with improvements in law and order, women's safety, and overall development in the state. 'He has driven significant development here; it is our wish that Yogi Adityanath becomes the Chief Minister once again,' Aggarwal remarked. This comes amid continued BJP momentum in Uttar Pradesh ahead of future state elections.
Inclusion at the Forefront
Notably, the presence of 25 differently-abled pilgrims in the group underscores the inclusive character of the visit. The delegation's decision to travel by air to Ayodhya — a route that has become increasingly accessible following the inauguration of the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya Dham — reflects the broader transformation of the holy city as a pilgrimage destination with modern infrastructure.
Point of View
And its news value lies less in the prayer visit itself and more in the symbolism it encodes — BJP-aligned civic figures mobilising differently-abled citizens for a visible pilgrimage on the Prime Minister's birthday for eight straight years. That consistency is the real data point here. The Ayodhya Ram Temple, now a well-established pilgrimage circuit since its January 2024 consecration, has become a reliable backdrop for political optics. Whether such visits translate into any policy benefit for the differently-abled community — the group at the centre of this gesture — remains unaddressed.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who led the pilgrimage to Ayodhya on PM Modi's birthday?
Former East Delhi Mayor Shyam Sunder Aggarwal led a group of 60 pilgrims, including 25 differently-abled individuals, to Ayodhya on 17 September 2026. The group offered prayers at the Ram Temple and Hanumangarhi Temple for PM Modi's long and healthy life.
Why did the group visit Ayodhya on PM Modi's birthday?
The group travelled to Ayodhya to offer prayers at the Ram Temple and Hanumangarhi Temple seeking blessings for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's good health and long life on his birthday. Former Mayor Aggarwal said this was the eighth consecutive year he has undertaken an air pilgrimage to Ayodhya on the Prime Minister's birthday.
Which temples did the group visit in Ayodhya?
The group first visited Hanumangarhi Temple and then offered prayers at the Ram Temple, also known as Ram Lalla temple. Both visits were dedicated to seeking blessings for PM Modi's long and healthy life.
How did the group travel to Ayodhya?
The group of 60 pilgrims travelled from Delhi to Ayodhya by air. Aggarwal noted that all eight of his birthday pilgrimages to Ayodhya have been by air, made possible in recent years by improved air connectivity to the holy city.
What did the group say about Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath?
Former Mayor Aggarwal praised CM Yogi Adityanath for improvements in law and order, women's safety, and overall development in Uttar Pradesh. He expressed the wish that Adityanath continues as Chief Minister.
