New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirappalli, one of most popular temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
This marks PM Modi’s yet another tryst with temples, having great significance in Lord Ram’s life, even as he strictly adheres to eleven-day anusthaan (special ritual) for the Ram Lalla’s Pran Pratistha ceremony in Ayodhya, due on January 22.
For the unversed, this temple has special connection with Lord Ram and Ayodhya. The idol of Sri Ranganatha, a form of Lord Vishnu is the same that was worshipped by Lord Ram.
At the magnificent Srirangam temple, PM Modi also listened to verses from the Kamba Ramayana.
Kamban Ramayan & its connection with Lord Ram
Ramayana, a national epic depicting the life and times of Lord Ram and also his ancestors has been written & translated in many languages.
Kamba Ramayana is one of the oldest versions of Ramayana, which was composed in 12th century. Kamban, a great Tamil poet penned the Tamil version of Ramayan.
This temple also habours a deep connection with Kamba Ramayan. It is at this shrine that Kabam present his Ramayan and won the hearts of people.
The temple, till date, has maintained that erected platform called Kamba Ramayana Mantapam. PM Modi sat at this very place and heard the verses from Kamba Ramayan, thus re-enforcing the unbreakable bond between Tamil Nadu & Lord Ram.
PM Modi handed over ‘present’ by Temple priest
The temple priest, on behalf of the deity at Sri Ranganathaswamy temple, handed over some gifts to PM Modi to be taken to Ayodhya’s Ram Temple. It contained some sarees & other items.
In one of the captivating moments, PM Modi was also seen getting blessings from an elephant at the temple, an age-old ritual. It also prayed a mouth organ to welcome & greet the Prime Minister.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: An elephant at Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tiruchirappalli blessed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and played a mouth organ as PM visited the temple to offer prayers.
PM Narendra Modi is the first prime minister to visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in… pic.twitter.com/3YI22dO0UM
— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2024
