category Regional, jalandhar, , tags Regional, jalandhar, , DW BUREAU Jalandhar Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann offered prayers at Shakti peeth Sri Devi Talab Mandir and Sri Maha Lakshmi Mandir on the occasion of Mahashivratri on Saturday. The Chief Minister, who visited the temples today afternoon, extended good wishes to the people on the festival of Maha Shivratri. He said that Maha Shivratri inspires people to strive towards the pursuit of truth that leads to the ultimate consciousness epitomized by Lord Shiva. Bhagwant Mann said that the festival lays stress on the values of piety, devotion, mutual love and harmony, known as the cornerstones of the great Indian civilization. The Chief Minister, who performed pooja at Shivalay at Sri Maha Lakshmi temple, expressed hope that festival will further strengthen spirit of communal harmony and brotherhood in the state. He said that this festival will usher in a new era of peace and goodwill amongst all sections of the Society. Meanwhile, Bhagwant Mann paid obeisance at the revered Shakti Peeth Sri Devi Talaab Mandir and Sri Mahalakshmi temple to seek blessings from Maa Durga to serve the state more zealously and diligently. The Chief Minister sought blessings of almighty to give enormous strength to him for serving the people of state with all humility and dedication. He offered prayers to seek Mata Rani s blessings to serve the people of the state regardless of caste, colour, creed and religion to create a harmonious society. Bhagwant Mann said that the ethos of love, brotherhood and harmony in the society will be maintained at every cost and will ever remain their top priority. The Chief Minister thanked Mata Rani for bestowing upon him the responsibility to serve the people of Punjab with sincerity, dedication and commitment to fulfill their aspirations. Bhagwant Mann said that it was a unique experience for him to visit these holy shrines, which are fountainheads of inspiration and positivity for millions of people from around the world. He said by the God s grace he is leaving no stone unturned to come up to the expectations of people and top priority is being accorded by the government to implement pro-people and development oriented policies. (editor dailyworld.in)