Visitors thronged Gandhi temple at Bhatra in Odisha's Sambalpur district on occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on Wednesday. y offered flowers to bronze idol of Far of Nation and sang devotional songs before it. Several social organizations garlanded idol. Since temple's establishment in 1974 by former MLA Abhimanyu Kumar, residents of Bhatra, which is located near Sambalpur, congregate at premises daily to offer morning and evening prayers while priest recites Gita and 'Ram Dhun'. Kumar said he was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's speech at Sambalpur in 1932.

READ: PM Modi Pays Tribute To Mahatma Gandhi On His 150th Birth Anniversary

Former MLA Abhimanyu Kumar on Gandhi Temple

"He is a mahapurush (colossus). His speech had inspired me to build temple," Kumar said.

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While foundation was laid in 1971, it took three years to complete construction of temple, he said. Priest Radhakanta Bag said temple attracts visitors from all walks of life."Residents of Bhatra preach teachings of Mahatma Gandhi to younger generation," he said. Antaryami Panigrahi, a visitor, said he visits temple every Gandhi Jayanti and Shahid Diwas (January 30).

" residents of Bhatra don't wait for any occasion to worship Gandhiji. People from near and far also visit temple," he said.

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Ar visitor, Sanjit Mohanty, said, "I consider Mahatma Gandhi a divine person. His sacrifice and humility are unparalleled and cant be followed by an ordinary person. He is an incarnation of God and should be worshipped."

PM Modi pays tribute Mahatma Gandhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary at Raj Ghat in New Delhi. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi also paid floral tributes to Far of Nation. Both BJP and Congress have planned several events to mark event. PM Modi will go to Gujarat for launching 'Gandhi Sankalp Yatra'.

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