PM Narendra Modi Marks 25 Years In Government With Prayers At Delhi’s Historic Shri Vinayak Temple

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Narendra Modi marked a significant milestone on October 7, 2026, completing 25 years at the helm of a government. The journey began in Gujarat in 2001 and later took him to New Delhi, where he has served as Prime Minister since 2014. On the anniversary, Modi visited the Shri Vinayak Temple in Sarojini Nagar, Delhi, and offered prayers to Lord Ganesha.

From Gujarat To The Prime Minister's Office

Narendra Modi was sworn in as Gujarat Chief Minister on October 7, 2001. During his tenure in the state, the BJP won the Gujarat Assembly elections in 2002, 2007 and 2012, with Modi continuing as Chief Minister through each successive term.

Photo Credit: Instagram@narendramodi/AI-generated

In 2014, he moved from state politics to national leadership after the BJP secured 282 seats in the Lok Sabha election. Modi took oath as Prime Minister on May 26 that year. The BJP returned to power with a larger tally of 303 seats in 2019, giving Modi a second term.

The 2024 Lok Sabha election brought a different parliamentary equation. The BJP won 240 seats, while the National Democratic Alliance secured enough seats to form the government. Modi took oath for a third consecutive term as Prime Minister on June 9, 2024.

Modi Offers Prayers At Shri Vinayak Temple

On October 7, PM Modi visited the Shri Vinayak Temple in Sarojini Nagar to offer puja and seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha. In a message following the visit, he prayed for the happiness, prosperity and good health of people across the country and for India's continued progress. The Prime Minister also referred to Ganesha as Vighnaharta, traditionally understood as the remover of obstacles.

The temple visit came as Modi completed 25 years since his first appointment as head of a government. It gave the anniversary a religious dimension, with the Prime Minister beginning the milestone day with prayers for the country and its people.

The History Of Shri Vinayak Temple

The temple has a history closely connected with Delhi's South Indian community. Established in the early 1950s, it was intended to provide a space where traditional pujas, rituals and ceremonies could be conducted. The temple committee was registered in April 1953.

Its principal deity is Sree Siddhi Buddhi Sametha Karpaga Vinayakar, a form of Lord Ganesha. The main idol was consecrated on August 24, 1961. The temple complex later expanded to include shrines dedicated to deities including Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman and the Navagrahas.

The locality itself also carries a connection to the temple. Sarojini Nagar was earlier known as Vinay Nagar, the area where the temple was established.

A 25-Year Political Journey

This milestone traces a continuous journey from Gujarat Bhavan and state politics to the Prime Minister's Office in New Delhi. Over these 25 years, PM Modi's governments have been associated with major policy and political developments, including Swachh Bharat Mission, Jan Dhan Yojana, GST, demonetisation, Ayushman Bharat, the changes to Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional status, India's G20 presidency and the country's expanding digital payments infrastructure.

His political journey has also included periods of intense public debate and opposition, making the 25-year milestone a significant point in India's contemporary political timeline.