Rahul Gandhi offers prayers at Churuwa Hanuman temple in UP's Raebareli

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited the Churuwa Hanuman temple in Raebareli district during his parliamentary constituency visit, stopping to offer prayers on the occasion of 'Bada Mangal'.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday offered prayers at the Churuwa Hanuman temple on the border of Raebareli district during his visit to his parliamentary constituency.

According to Congress leader Umesh Bahadur Singh, chairman of the party's right to information cell, Gandhi stopped at the temple on the occasion of the third 'Bada Mangal' of Jyeshtha month of the Hindu calendar.

Singh said Gandhi's convoy, which started from Lucknow, halted near the temple when it reached Raebareli border, following which he visited the shrine.

The priest at the temple performed rituals as per tradition, he said, adding that the Congress MP stayed at the temple for a brief period before proceeding towards the programme venue.

The 'Bada Mangal' holds significance in and around Lucknow region and is observed as a syncretic cultural practice marked by 'bhandaras' (free community feasts) and special prayers for Lord Hanuman.