Chennai: Now on a visit to Tamil Nadu, which is figuratively and literally significant for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking his third term in office this year, Indian premier Narendra Modi is set to visit the Arichal Munai point, the point from where the Ram Setu was built on Sunday.
The Setu or bridge, which was built over the sea by monkey warriors of Lord Ram as depicted in the Ramayana, was used by the epic figure and his army to reach Lanka, which was ruled by Ravana.
PM Modi’s visit to Tamil Nadu just before the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla kicks off in Ayodhya, and especially the Arichal Munai point, the point from where the Ram Setu was built, speaks of deeper symbolism than it meets the eyes.
His visit assumes significance as the site holds historical importance as the mythical bridge is believed to have been built by monkey warriors, who owed allegiance to Lord Ram during his fight with Ravana, the mighty king of Lanka, at the spot.
PM Modi and his party BJP have been trying to build a bridge of political consensus with like-minded parties from Tamil Nadu.
Indian PM has described Tamil Nadu as a bastion of Indian nationalism during his earlier references to Tamilu. On his website, Modi wrote an ode to Sengol, the sceptre which was brought from Tamil Nadu and kept at the newly built Parliament in Delhi a few months back.
“I was the Sengol which conjoined free India to the era of the nation that existed before slavery,” Modi wrote on his website.
On the second day of his Tamil Nadu tour, PM Modi will perform rituals at the Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple at 10:15 am, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
Personally and as the head of the Indian state, his purposeful visit to the Southern state sends a message to the spectrum about PM Modi’s emphasis on Tamil Nadu, a state which has been on BJP’s radar for some time.
Meanwhile, Modi appears to be immersing himself in the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of the state, exploring various temples and engaging with the timeless tales of the Ramayana.
This site holds historical importance as the mythical bridge is said to have been constructed at this very spot. As per the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), on the second day of his Tamil Nadu tour, PM Modi will participate in worship and darshan at the Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple at 10:15 am on January 21.
The tale of Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple The temple, dedicated to Lord Ram with his bow (Kodandaram), signifies a place of reverence and historical significance. Dhanushkodi, situated at the tip of Bharat Bhoomi, is steeped in mythology, believed to be the location where Vibhishana, a pivotal character in the Ramayana, sought refuge from Lord Shri Ram. Legends also suggest that Dhanushkodi is where Lord Ram crowned Vibhishana.
The locals continue to worship at this sacred site, surrounded by numerous temples that contribute to the cultural tapestry of the area. Moving beyond the land, a sea bridge, believed to have emerged thousands of years ago, further adds to the mystical importance of the region.
In summary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tour of Tamil Nadu is not only a demonstration of political leadership but also a symbolic journey steeped in the spiritual and cultural heritage of the land, with each visit and interaction contributing to the narrative of the epic Ramayana.