NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, JAN 20
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday worshipped in the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple at Sri Rangam here, 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.
The Srirangam temple is an ancient Vaishnavaite temple of Tamil Nadu and it dates back to the Sangam age with various dynasties pitching in, through the ages, to build and expand it. The early and later Cholas, Pandyas, the Hoysalas and the Vijayanagara empire have all contributed in the construction of the grand temple. The Srirangam temple is situated in an island, at the confluence of the Cauvery and Kollidam rivers. The temple is also known as ‘Boologa Vaikuntam’or ‘Vaikuntam on Earth’. Vaikuntam is the eternal abode of Lord Vishnu.
Whenever I come to Tamil Nadu, the warmth and affection of the people leaves me spellbound. Here are some priceless moments from Srirangam… pic.twitter.com/oGqdHv5NaP
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 20, 2024
The Prime Minister arrived here on Saturday from Chennai and on his way to the temple, stood on the running board of his car and waved at the people and BJP workers who gathered at vantage points to greet him.
Prayed at the Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple for the good health and well-being of 140 crore Indians. pic.twitter.com/mfd3yu4kUx
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 20, 2024
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. The Prime Minister took a holy dip into the sea, known as Agni Tirtham.
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. The Prime Minister also took a holy dip into the sea here. pic.twitter.com/v7BCSxdnSk
— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2024
The holy city of Rameswaram holds significance in the epic of Ramayana. Agni Tirtham is often referred to as the holy site of washing off one’s sins. The prime minister’s visit comes ahead of Ram Mandir consecration rituals in Ayodhya.
Listening to verses of the Kamba Ramayan at the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is an experience I will cherish for my entire life. The fact that this is the very Temple where the great Kamban first publically presented his Ramayan makes it more noteworthy. pic.twitter.com/4Flcq5FlsH
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 20, 2024
