On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Veerbhadra Temple in Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh. This visit holds special significance in Hindu mythology, particularly the Ramayana.
“Lepakshi is a place deeply rooted in our cultural and mythological heritage. It is believed to be where the giant eagle Jatayu, after witnessing Goddess Sita’s abduction by Ravan, followed her. The dying Jatayu conveyed crucial information about Sita’s captivity, and Lord Ram granted him divine liberation or ‘Moksha’ here,” the Prime Minister said during his visit.
The Prime Minister’s visit coincides with the upcoming ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, scheduled for January 22.
“I embark on this spiritual journey just days before the historic ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony in Ayodhya. It is a time of great significance for our nation, and I am humbled to connect with our cultural roots,” Prime Minister Modi said.
Prime Minister Modi is on a two-day trip to Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, focusing on launching various development projects.
“On Wednesday, I will offer prayers at Guruvayur and Thriprayar Shree Ramaswami temples in Kerala,” the Prime Minister stated.
Local authorities in Ayodhya are gearing up for the anticipated surge in visitors during the January 22 ceremony, implementing enhanced security measures and logistical arrangements for all attendees.
“The selection of the idol for the Ram Temple is a crucial step. The black stone idol of ‘Ram Lalla,’ crafted by Mysuru sculptor Arun Yogiraj, was unanimously chosen by a panel. It is an exciting milestone in the journey towards the completion of the Ram Temple,” said Champat Rai, the Ram Temple trust’s general secretary.
