Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a two-day visit to significant temples in Tamil Nadu from January 20 to 21, leading up to the ‘pran prathishtha’ ceremony for the Ram Temple on January 22. The Prime Minister’s Office has released a statement outlining his itinerary.
On the first day, PM Modi will kick off the visit with a program at the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tiruchirappalli. Scholars will recite verses from the Kamba Ramayanam. Following this, he will visit Rameswaram to perform Darshan and Pooja at the Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. As part of the tradition, Modi will participate in the ‘Shri Ramayana Paryana’ program, involving chanting of Ramayana in various languages.
On the second day, January 21, PM Modi is scheduled to conduct Darshan and Pooja at the Kothandaramaswamy Temple in Dhanushkodi. Additionally, he will visit Arichal Munai, believed to be the location where the Ram Setu was constructed. The day’s program will include recitations of Ramkathas in different languages, showcasing India’s cultural diversity.
The program at Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple will feature Prime Minister Modi participating in Bhajan Sandhya, with devotional songs sung in the evening. The release from the Prime Minister’s Office emphasizes the cultural ethos and bonding, aligning with the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ initiative.
In the lead-up to the consecration ceremony of the Ayodhya Ram Temple on January 22, PM Modi has been visiting temples associated with Lord Ram during his official state visits. The recent focus of his messages and activities has been closely tied to Lord Ram and the ongoing rituals leading to the inauguration.
The significance of the temples in Tamil Nadu adds depth to the Prime Minister’s visit. The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Trichy, is one of the oldest temple complexes in the country, known for its architectural magnificence and connections to the philosopher Sri Ramanujacharya. The Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameshwaram holds a belief that the main lingam was consecrated by Lord Rama. The Kothandaramaswamy Temple in Dhanushkodi is dedicated to Rama with the bow and is associated with the refuge sought by Vibhishana.
As the nation eagerly awaits the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Prime Minister Modi’s temple visits underscore the cultural and spiritual significance of these revered sites.
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