EXCLUSIVE: Meet Shambhu Lal Bitthal, priest who helped Mukesh Ambani perform Pind Daan ritual during Pitru Paksha in Gayaji, Anant Ambani also…

Notably, Mukesh Ambani visited Vishnupad temple, the Falgu river and the Akshayavat tree.

Gaya is making headlines because of back-to-back visits by President Droupadi Murmu and business tycoon Mukesh Ambani. The local police are on high alert because of the VVIP movements during the ongoing Pitru Paksha. Billionaire businessman Mukesh Ambani visited the place on Friday with his youngest son Anant Ambani. President Murmu is scheduled to visit Gaya on Saturday.

Mukesh Ambani Visited Gayaji

Chairman of Reliance Industries Limited was accompanied by his youngest son Anant Ambani. The father-son duo arrived at Gaya airport in their private plane and directly headed to the Vishnupad temple. Notably, this was Ambani’s maiden visit to the holy city. Anil Ambani, Mukesh Ambani’s younger brother, had performed the Pind Daan ritual eight months earlier.

Ambani Performed Rituals At Three Places

Notably, Mukesh Ambani visited the Vishnupad temple, the Falgu river and the Akshayavat tree. He also offered special prayers at a place where footprint of Lord Vishnu is kept in the sanctum sanctorum.

Who Is Shambaroundhu Lal Vitthal

Shambaroundhu Lal Vitthal is the president of the Vishnupad temple management committee, Gayaji. He is the man who assisted and guided Mukesh Ambani through the rituals of Pind Daan.

“Separate arrangement was made due to security reasons. After the rituals got completed, I presented a replica of the Lord Vishnu footprint, angvastra, prasad and blessings to him. Mukesh Ambani said that he felt peace and great satisfaction after performing the rituals. He also expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by the district administration for the pilgrims during the ongoing Pitripaksh Mela,” he said.

“Mukesh Ambani performed the ‘pind daan’ and ‘jal tarpan’ rituals on the bank of the Falgu river and at the Vishnupad temple for the salvation of his ancestors’ souls,” the temple trust’s working president, Vitthal, added.

Panda Shambhu Lal Vitthal stated that Ambani donated generously during the Pind Daan. Ambani stayed in Gaya for about 45 minutes and received blessings from the Pandas.

Notably, the city holds centuries-old records related to ancestors of those who have come here for Pind Daan.

These historical account books comprise 300-year-old entries made on birch bark and copper plates spanning seven centuries. These documents are preserved by the Gayapal Pandits of the city.

The Pandas of the holy city claim to possess death records for approx 10 million people. Devotees who come here are eager to trace their ancestral roots and often approach these record keepers. These pandas extract details of their family tree from copper plates and birch bark.

Ambani’s Visit Amid Heavy Security

DM Shashank Shubhankar and SSP Anand Kumar issued special orders regarding the security of Mukesh Ambani and Anant Ambani. Hundreds of police officers of different ranks were deployed for the businessman’s security.

Additionally, magistrates were deployed at crucial locations, and health staff and ambulances were put on standby.

Notably, the administration booked the guesthouse of the Bihar Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development for the Ambani family. However, the father-son duo did not stay overnight.

It is worth mentioning that, Mukesh Ambani’s visit came just a day before President Murmu’s scheduled visit at the holy place. Preparation to welcome the President in Gayaji is underway.