Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepped into the Sree Vinayaka Mandir on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, offering prayers to Lord Ganesha as he marked a quarter‑century at the helm of the nation.
The temple, which began as a modest shrine in the early 1950s and was officially registered in April 1953, now houses the 65‑year‑old idol of Sree Siddhi Buddhi Sametha Karpaga Vinayakar, consecrated on August 24, 1961.
Modi's tenure began on October 7, 2001, when he was sworn in as Gujarat Chief Minister; he ascended to the prime ministerial post in May 2014 and has since led three consecutive terms.
After the rituals, Modi posted a Hindi message on X, translated to English as, 'Today, I performed worship and rituals at the Shri Vinayak Temple in New Delhi. I prayed to Lord Shri Ganesha for the happiness, prosperity, and good health of my countrymen...' The post attracted over 1.5 million likes in the first hour.
The visit, blending a political milestone with a traditional act, underscores Modi's strategy of linking governance with cultural roots, a move he hopes will resonate with voters ahead of the next electoral cycle.