PM Modi in Tamil Nadu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited various significant temples in Tamil Nadu today (January 20). PM Modi participated in a programme at Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tiruchirappalli. Prime Minister also listened to various scholars reciting verses from the Kamba Ramayanam in this temple.
PM Modi worshipped in the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple while clad in traditional Tamil attire. During his visit to this ancient shrine of Tamil Nadu, Modi wore a spotless 'veshti' (dhothi) and an angawastram (a shawl) and prayed with folded hands in the Lord Vishnu temple. He took blessings from the temple elephant after feeding it.
Modi prayed to Sri Ranganathaswamy and he was blessed with 'Sadari' (Crown, symbolising Lord Vishnu's blessings) by temple priests. The PM prayed at several 'sannadhis' (separate enclosures for deities) including those dedicated to Vaishnavite saint-guru Sri Ramanjuacharya and Sri Chakkarathazhwar.
The presiding deity is popularly known in Tamil as Ranganathar.
PM takes holy dip in 'Agni Theerth'
The PM took a dip in the 22 'theerths,' inside the temple complex and devotees consider taking a dip in theerths an auspicious, spiritual activity. The 22 theerths are natural springs, and each one of them are known as 'Nazhi Kinaru' (well) in Tamil. Modi was accorded traditional honours by priests and he also took part in 'Bhajans' performed in the shrine.
PM Modi in Rameswaram:
Thereafter, Prime Minister will reach Rameswaram at around 2:00 pm and perform Darshan and Pooja in Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. Continuing the practice being observed during Prime Minister’s visit to multiple temples in the last few days, wherein he attends Ramayana chanting in various languages (such as Marathi, Malayalam and Telugu), in this temple, he will attend a programme- ‘Shri Ramayana Paryana’.
In the programme, eight different traditional Mandalis will recite the Sanskrit, Awadhi, Kashmiri, Gurumukhi, Assamese, Bengali, Maithili, and Gujarati Ramkathas (recounting the episode of Shri Rama’s return to Ayodhya). This is in line with Bharatiya cultural ethos and bonding, which is at the core of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’.
In Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple, Prime Minister will also participate in Bhajan Sandhya, where multiple devotional songs would be sung at the temple complex in the evening.
Know more about Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple:
Located in Srirangam, Trichy, the temple is one of the most ancient temple complexes in the country and finds mention in various ancient texts including the Puranas and the Sangam era texts. It is famous for its architectural grandeur and its numerous iconic gopurams. The main deity worshipped here is Sri Ranganatha Swamy, a reclining form of Bhagwaan Vishnu. Vaishnava scriptures mention the connection between the idol worshipped in this temple and Ayodhya. It is believed that the image of Vishnu which used to be worshipped by Sri Rama and his ancestors was given by him to Vibhishana to take it to Lanka. On the way, this idol was fixed in Srirangam.
Sri Ramanujacharya, the great philosopher and saint, is also deeply associated with this temple’s history. Moreover, there are various important places in this temple- for example, the famous Kamba Ramayanam was first presented publicly by the Tamil poet Kamban in a particular place in this complex.
Know more about Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple:
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 installed and worshipped by Sri Rama and Mata Sita. The temple contains one of the longest temple corridor, which is also famous for its beautiful architecture. It is one among the Char Dhams – Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri and Rameshwaram. It is also one among the 12 Jyotirlingas.
PM Modi to visit Dhanushkodi:
On January 21, Prime Minister will perform Darshan and Pooja at Kothandaramaswamy Temple. Near Dhanushkodi, Prime Minister will also visit Arichal Munai, which is said to be the place from where the Ram Setu was built.
Kothandaramaswamy Temple:
This temple is dedicated to Sri Kothandarama Swamy. The name Kothandarama, means Rama with the bow. It is located in a place called Dhanushkodi. It is said that this is where Vibhishana first met Sri Rama and asked him for refuge. Some legends also say that this is the place where Sri Rama conducted the coronation of Vibhishana.
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