Edited by Deepali Verma
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit certain significant temples in Tamil Nadu from January 20 to 21 prior to the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony for the Ram Temple on January 22, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.
A programme at Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tiruchirappalli is likely to be held by PM Modi on January 20. The scholars will be reciting verses from the Kamba Ramayanam. Post this, he will also visit Rameswaram to carry out Darshan and Pooja in Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. To continue the tradition of attending Ramayana chanting in various languages, Modi will be participating in the program ‘Shri Ramayana Paryana’ at this temple.
PM Modi also has plans to conduct Darshan and Pooja at Kothandaramaswamy Temple in Dhanushkodi on January 21. He is also expected to pay a visit to Arichal Munai which lies close to Dhanushkodi, and is believed to be the location where the Ram Setu was constructed.
“The programme will see eight different traditional Mandalis that 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 close connection to the Bharatiya cultural ethos and bonding, that is at the core of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’. Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple will also see Prime Minister’s participation in Bhajan Sandhya, where multiple devotional songs would be sung at the temple complex in the evening,” read the release.
Importance of these temples in Tamil Nadu
-The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, located in Srirangam, Trichy, is among the oldest temple complexes in the country. The temple finds reference in ancient texts like the Puranas and Sangam era texts and is renowned for its architectural magnificence along with multiple iconic gopurams. The philosopher and saint, Sri Ramanujacharya, has strong connections relating to the history of this temple. Temple complex houses several significant locations that hold importance. The renowned Tamil poet Kamban publicly presented the famous Kamba Ramayanam at a specific site within this sacred precinct.
-The Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameshwaram has the principal deity Sri Ramanathaswamy that is a manifestation of Lord Shiva. A widely known belief is that the main lingam in this temple was consecrated and worshipped by Lord Rama and Goddess Sita.
-The Kothandaramaswamy Temple in Dhanushkodi has its dedication to Sri Kothandarama Swamy, signifying Rama with the bow and is said to be the site where Vibhishana sought refuge from Lord Rama. As per some legends, it is also a place where Sri Rama conducted the coronation of Vibhishana.
