PM Modi In Tamil Nadu: From Gifts For Ayodhya Ram Mandir To Grand Road Show In Trichy, Ramnad– Details

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given a present to be taken to the Ram Temple at Ayodhya on behalf of the presiding deity at Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tiruchirappalli.

Scores of people lined up on both sides of the road and welcomed PM by showering flowers

Source : X/@ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited two prominent temples in Tamil Nadu--Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tiruchirappalli and Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram--on January 20 (Saturday). In both the temple towns, PM Modi undertook a road show and was welcomed by hundreds by people queuing on both the sides of the road. The PM was also provided with presents which he is set to take to Ayodhya.

The security was beefed up across Tamil Nadu.

PM In Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tiruchirappalli

Modi, making history as the first Prime Minister to visit the temple, adorned a pristine 'veshti' (dhoti) and an angavastram (shawl). With folded hands, he offered prayers in the Lord Vishnu temple. Upon arrival, he received a ceremonial 'poorna kumbha' welcome, accompanied by Vedic chanting from the attending priests.

 

PM Modi performed puja and fed an elephant at Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple.

The Srirangam temple holds a significant religious and Tamil literary connection to the Ramayana. As per religious scholars, the idol of Sri Ranganathaswamy, a manifestation of Vishnu, in Srirangam was initially worshipped by Lord Ram and His ancestors.

 

 

VIDEO | PM @narendramodi performs puja and feeds an elephant at Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Tiruchirappalli, #TamilNadu.

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/fQo5snwxX7

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 20, 2024

 

Priests of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tiruchirappalli were prepared to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his visit to the temple.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Priests of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, in Tiruchirappalli prepare to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his visit to the temple. pic.twitter.com/FTwUgtKCJ3

— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2024

 

On behalf of the presiding deity at Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tiruchirappalli, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given a present to be taken to the Ram Temple at Ayodhya.

On behalf of the presiding deity at Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tiruchirappalli, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given a present to be taken to the Ram Temple at Ayodhya. pic.twitter.com/QS125ze1Dq

— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2024

 

As per the announcement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), during the journey, PM listened to scholars reciting verses from the Kamba Ramayanam. One of the very old versions of Ramayana is the Kamba Ramayana, which was composed by Tamil poet Kamban in the 12th century. Kamban first publicly presented his Ramayana at Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. PM sat in that very place where Kamba first sang the Tamil Ramayana, reinforcing the deep connection between Tamil, Tamil Nadu and Sri Ram.

PM In Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram

From Trichy, PM left to Rameswaram. In Ramanathapuram, Prime Minister Narendra Modi who reached Rameswaram around 2.30 PM conducted a roadshow in the region. Scores of people lined up on both sides of the road and welcomed PM by showering flowers. Later, PM got out of his car and undertook the journey by greeting people.

Upon reaching the temple, Prime Minister Modi took a dip in the holy water and offered prayers at Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram.

The primary deity revered in this temple is Sri Ramanathaswamy believed to be a manifestation of Lord Shiva. According to widespread belief, the main lingam in the temple was installed and worshipped by Sri Rama and Mata Sita.

 

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducts a roadshow in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. pic.twitter.com/NhYf6iydPe

— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2024

 

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram

The main deity worshipped in this temple is Sri Ramanathaswamy, which is a form of Bhagwan Shiva. It is a widely held belief that the main lingam in this temple was… pic.twitter.com/EF7YBMV87P

— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2024

In line with his recent visits to temples, where he participates in Ramayana chanting in various languages, including Marathi, Malayalam, and Telugu, he attended a program called 'Shri Ramayana Paryana' in Rameswaram. The program featured eight traditional Mandalis reciting Ramkathas in Sanskrit, Awadhi, Kashmiri, Gurumukhi, Assamese, Bengali, Maithili, and Gujarati, narrating the episode of Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya.

"This is in line with Bharatiya cultural ethos and bonding, which is at the core of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'," the statement said.