Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day pilgrimage to temples associated with the epic Ramayana, just days ahead of the highly anticipated consecration ceremony for the Ayodhya Ram Temple.
On Tuesday, he visited the Veerabhadra Temple in Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh. According to the Aranyakanda section of the Ramayana, this is where Jatayu, the loyal king of eagles who attempted to rescue Sita from Ravana, received Moksha (liberation) after being mortally wounded. This connection to the Ramayana holds significant meaning for devotees.
Following his visit to Lepakshi, Modi will head to Kerala to visit the Guruvayur and Thriprayar Sri Ramaswamy temples on Wednesday. This pilgrimage reinforces the importance of Lord Rama and the Ramayana in Hindu culture and tradition.
Meanwhile, preparations for the Ayodhya Ram Temple consecration ceremony are in full swing. Lakhs (hundreds of thousands) of pilgrims are expected to attend the historic event on January 22nd. Security arrangements are being finalized to ensure the safety of all participants. The selected idol of Lord Rama, carved from black stone by sculptor Arun Yogiraj, will be installed during the ceremony.
Modi’s pilgrimage and the upcoming Ayodhya ceremony mark a significant moment for Hindus across India and around the world. The consecration of the Ram Temple fulfills a long-held wish of many devotees and is expected to be a joyous occasion for all.