As the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 69 on Tuesday, the country is buzzing with well wishes for him.
A staunch supporter of the PM even offered a gold crown weighing 1.25 kg to the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple in Varanasi to mark the Prime Minister's 69th birthday.
Arvind Singh who made the offering on the eve of Modi's birthday, told reporters that he had pledged to make the offering if Modi was reelected from his Varanasi parliamentary constituency for a second consecutive term.
Meanwhile, the PM began his birthday with a visit to the Statue of Unity and the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the river Narmada in his home state of Gujarat.
The Statue of Unity, billed as the tallest in the world, was inaugurated by him on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary on October 31 last year.
There were reports that he filmed a video of the Statue of Unity from his helicopter.
Earlier on Tuesday, Modi arrived at Kevadiya to take part in the 'Namami Narmada' festival being celebrated by the Gujarat government to mark the filling up of the Sardar Sarovar Dam on Narmada river to its full reservoir level of 138.68 metres.
For the first time since the height of the dam was raised in 2017, the water level reached its highest peak at 138.68 metres on Sunday evening.
Modi along with Chief Minister Vijay Rupani would perform 'puja' at the dam site to 'welcome' the water of river Narmada, the lifeline of Gujarat.
The PM, who would be addressing a gathering near the dam, visited various developmental projects being carried out near the dam and Statue of Unity to boost tourism.
These projects include river rafting, a jungle safari park, a butterfly park and Ekta Nursery, an officila said.
Modi also visited the Khalvani Eco-Tourism site. In the safari, he apparently spotted deer.
Modi is also expected to visit Dutt Mandir at nearby Garudeshwar village on the banks of Narmada.
Birthday greetings
BJP leaders greeted PM Modi and hailed him as a visionary leader and statesman.
Many recalled Modi's modest roots and praised his achievements as a world leader.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Modi's hardwork to make the lives of the countrymen easier was an inspiration.
"Your efforts and determination to make life easier for every India is an inspiration for us. It is a privilege as a people's representative, fellow countryman and as a party worker to be your partner in nation rebuilding. I wish God your healthy life and longevity," Shah tweeted.
JP Nadda, the national working president of the BJP, called the PM a "Karmayogi" and said his dedication towards the "service of the nation" was an inspiration.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed Modi's "visionary leadership" and said it has helped India scale new heights of glory.
"Motivational journey from small town to world capitals, grass-root party worker to tallest national leader, party organiser to best administrator, booth worker to most popular world leader, man with Mission to better lives of all @PMOIndia @narendramodi best birthday wishes, long life," tweeted former Union minister Suresh Prabhu.
Union Minister for Railways Piyush Goyal hailed Modi as a statesman, decisive leader and an inspiration for all.
"My greetings to our popular Prime Minister and a respected world leader PM Narendra Modi on his birthday. I pray for his long and healthy life. May you continue to inspire us and guide our country on the path of progress and prosperity," tweeted Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also wished the PM on his birthday and hailed his dedication and commitment of building a "New India with the mantra of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas".
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, who is likely to meet the prime minister in New Delhi on Wednesday for discussions on administrative issues, wrote on her Twitter handle, "Birthday greetings to Prime Minister @narendramodi ji."
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also joined in extending his greetings on Twitter: "Happy birthday to Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji. We wish him a long and healthy life".
In a letter, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama wrote: "As a long time guest of India, and as someone who cares deeply about this country, I congratulate you on the growing confidence you have brought about.”
(With inputs from PTI and IANS.)
