Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a religious ceremony at the Sri Kothandarama Swamy temple.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi toured Arichal Munai near Dhanushkodi, Tamil Nadu, as part of his Ramayana-connected journey in the state. He offered floral tributes at the seashore, a day ahead of the pran-pratishtha ceremony for the Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya, where Modi is set to be the chief guest.
Dhanushkodi is widely believed to be the sacred location where Lord Ram took the solemn vow to conquer Ravana.
Modi participated in a ritual at the Sri Kothandarama Swamy temple in Dhanushkodi. The name ‘Kothandarama’ signifies Rama with the bow. According to lore, this is the site where Vibhishana, Ravana’s brother, sought refuge from Lord Ram. Some legends also suggest that it was here that Lord Ram crowned Vibhishana.
Pran-pratistha ceremony at Ram Mandir
These visits hold immense significance as Modi is scheduled to be in Ayodhya on Monday for the pran-pratishtha ceremony of Ram Mandir.
On Saturday, the Prime Minister visited the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tiruchirappalli and the Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram in the southern state.
With nearly 8,000 VIP guests expected for the grand event in Ayodhya, the Uttar Pradesh Police force has intensified security measures in the temple town. Additional Director General (ADG) Lucknow Zone Piyush Mordia mentioned enhanced patrolling on the Saryu River using boats, and drones are conducting aerial surveillance.
The idol of Lord Ram Lalla, crafted by Mysuru-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj, has been placed inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in Ayodhya. Standing 51 inches tall and weighing 1.5 tonnes, the idol depicts Lord Ram as a five-year-old child standing on a lotus, also crafted from the same stone.
A ’56 bhog prasad’ destined to be the initial offering to Ram Lalla after the pran-pratishtha ceremony has arrived in the city from Lucknow.
