NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Veerabhadra temple in Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh today, just six days before the much-anticipated Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The Veerabhadra temple, steeped in the lore of the Ramayana, is a site of great cultural and historical significance.
During his visit, PM Modi offered prayers at the temple and listened to verses from the Ranganatha Ramayan, a rendition of the epic in Telugu.The temple holds a special place in the epic narrative, believed to be the spot where the bird Jatayu fell, wounded by Ravana during the latter’s abduction of Goddess Sita. It is here that Lord Rama is said to have granted Moksha to the dying Jatayu after learning of Sita’s abduction.

This spiritual journey follows Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to the Shree Kala Ram Mandir in Nashik and the historic site of Panchvati, situated along the Godavari river, where he offered prayers and immersed himself in verses relating to Lord Ram’s arrival in Ayodhya, narrated in Marathi.
The Prime Minister’s itinerary includes a pooja and darshan at the Veerbhadra Temple around, followed by a visit to Palasamudram in the Sri Sathya Sai District. Later today, PM Modi is also expected to lead a roadshow in Kochi, Kerala.
Tomorrow, PM Modi will perform pooja and darshan at the Guruvayur Temple in Kerala. In addition to his spiritual engagements, the Prime Minister is set to inaugurate the new campus of the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes, and Narcotics at Palasamudram.
In preparation for the Prime Minister’s visit, security has been heightened in the Sri Sathya Sai district, with officials conducting thorough inspections across various areas, including the venue of the National Academy’s inauguration.
PM Modi’s two-day tour, encompassing both Andhra Pradesh and Kerala on January 16 and 17, symbolizes a blend of spiritual homage and official duties, reflecting the diverse cultural tapestry of India.