Not invited PM Modi to visit Sivagiri Mutt, claims Trust leaders

Thiruvananthapuram: Sivagiri Mutt authorities have Thursday claimed they have not invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the pilgrimage site during his maiden trip to the state after assuming the charge.

“This time Sivagiri Mutt has not invited him. He's coming here in his interest. We will be receiving him at the Mutt only because he is coming here. Not much importance will be given to his visit,” Swami Rithambarananda, a leader of the trust, told reporters at a press meeting.

“We had sent letter to BJP state president V. Muraleedharan in order to invite BJP’s central leaders to the Sivagiri pilgrimage to be held from December 30 to January 1. But, he didn’t give us any reply on it,” they said.

“We do neither have any fondness nor hatred towards any party. Its tradition is to welcome all,” they added.

The 83rd annual pilgrimage of the Sivagiri Mutt, which is located at Varkala, will be held from Dec 31 to Jan 1. Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Union Minister for Tourism Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Meghalaya Governor P.Shanmukhanathan, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechuri, CPI general secretary Sudhakar Reddy, Dr. Thomas Isaac, MLA, will attend the function.