Thiruvananthapuram: The prime minister's trip to the state ended on a jarring note when local MP Shashi Tharoor, MLA V S Shivakumar and Mayor V K Prashanth were not included in the list of those who were to enter the temple for darshan at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple along with Narendra Modi.
The incident happened soon after the PM unveiled the plaque of the Swadeshi Darshan Project, which is aimed at developing the basic facilities in and around religious institutions across the country.
Governor Justice P Sathasivam and state Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran accompanied Modi inside the shrine.
Th PM unveiled the plaque of the Swadeshi Darshan Project at the temple in the presence of Governor P Sathasivam, CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Minister of State for Tourism Alphons Kannanthanam and Tharoor himself.
Tharoor immediately tweeted his displeasure on key functionaries being sidelined for the PM's temple darshan.
The ministry of tourism's Swadeshi Darshan Project aims for integrated development of tourist circuits based on themes that showcase the rich cultural, historic, religious and natural heritage of the country.
Meanwhile, the prime minister offered prayers at the centuries-old temple, known as one of the 108 'divyadesams' of Lord Vishnu.
Modi, who entered the sprawling shrine through the eastern entrance, spent about 20 minutes there.
Earlier, while speaking at a function at neighbouring Kollam district, the Prime Minister said he would seek blessings of Lord Padmanabhaswamy for the "welfare of people of Kerala and other parts of the country".
Swadesh Darshan
Officials said that under the Swadesh Darshan project, the Ministry of Tourism had sanctioned Rs 92.22 crores during 2016-17 and a majority of the work under this project was carried out at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple.
The construction of the heritage walk footpath, bio toilets and bathrooms, renovation of the Padmatheertham temple tank, electrification and setting up of security systems have been completed at the shrine, dedicated to Lord Padmanabha, under the initiative.
Recognising the tourism potential of the state,the Centre has sanctioned seven projects in Kerala under the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes for about Rs 550 crore.
The PM later left for New Delhi.
The centuries-old temple, dedicated to Lord Padmanabha, had hogged media attention in 2011 after its four underground cellars revealed gold ornaments, vessels, jewels and precious stones worth thousands of crores of Rupees during an inspection.
An architectural splendour in granite, the temple was rebuilt in its present form in the 18th century by the erstwhile Travancore Royal family, for whom Lord Padmanabha (Vishnu) is their family deity. Read more about the temple
