Watch: Rajasthan Chief Minister Washes Parents' Feet Before Taking Oath
NDTV
Bhajan Lal Sharma took oath in a grand ceremony in Jaipur, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
With his birthday coinciding with one of the most important days in his life, Bhajan Lal Sharma - the BJP's surprise pick for the Rajasthan chief minister's post - washed the feet of his parents and took their blessing before heading for his oath-taking ceremony.
A video shows Mr Sharma, who turned 56 today, sitting on the floor with his wife while his parents are seen seated on a sofa. The chief minister is seen pouring water on his father's feet, which are kept on a flat vessel, before wiping them with a towel. The stool with the vessel is then shifted towards his mother and Mr Sharma is seen repeating the process with her.
The chief minister and his wife then garland his parents before bending down and touching their feet. Mr Sharma's father anoints his forehead with red coloured paste (tilak) and then hands him a sweet, which the chief minister can be seen splitting with his wife.
