Temple puts past behind

On Monday, the Akshardham temple complex at Gandhinagar was a picture of serenity. Throughout the day, people kept filtering in through the ...

On Monday, the Akshardham temple complex at Gandhinagar was a picture of serenity. Throughout the day, people kept filtering in through the main gate and almost all visited the main temple and exhibition halls.

Had the metal detectors and armed security personnel been absent, one would not have guessed that this was the site of a bloody militant attack.

Opening as it did to the public after a fortnight, Akshardham was full of activity on Monday.

The temple had been shut since September 24, when militants entered the complex and shot dead 30 civilians and three security personnel. It was re-opened to public under heavy security today. People too, did not seem to mind the elaborate security set-up. They seemed more curious to see for themselves the spot where civilians were killed.

8216;8216;We were in fact waiting for the temple to re-open again. We have come here for darshan and are not apprehensive about our security,8217;8217; said Padmaben Talati, who visited the temple along with four members of her family.

At the Sahajanand exhibition hall, where the highest number of civilians were killed, three youths were seen having a closer look at the walls.

8216;8216;We have come to see for ourselves the spot where many people were killed. We used to visit the temple once a week regularly,8217;8217; said Jayesh Vaghela, one of the three.

Story continues below this ad

In fact, almost all those present in the exhibition rooms, located in the left wing of the temple complex, were asking each other where the militants had killed civilians.

8216;8216;The temple has once again got an air of serenity and peace. Despite people knowing the temple is closed on Mondays, over 2,000 people visited since morning,8217;8217; said Jayesh Mankanda, a volunteer. An elaborate ceremony was held at the temple as it was opened again. Besides CRPF personnel all over the complex, Gandhinagar police too have been posted.