Ahead of Ayodhya ceremony, PM visits Andhra and Kerala temples with Lord Ram connect

Each of these temples assumes significance ahead of the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22.

Ahead of the upcoming 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi kick-started his journey in the southern states on January 16.

While he visited the Veerbhadra Temple in Lepakshi in Andhra Pradesh, he is scheduled to pray at Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple and Triprayar Sree Rama Swami Temple on January 17.

Also read: PM Modi begins 11-day special rituals ahead of Ram temple consecration

Each of these temples assumes significance ahead of the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22.

Veerbhadra Temple

Located in Lepakshi in Anantapur district, the temple is said to have been built by two brothers Virupanna and Veeranna, who were devotees of Lord Veerabhadra, the fiery avatar of Lord Shiva. Possibly built in the 16th century, the temple is set on a five-acre squat granite hill that’s shaped like a tortoise also called Kurmasaila (Tortoise Hill). However, the most popular story related to the temple is the one associated with the Ramayana. When Sita was being abducted by Ravana, the giant eagle Jatayu followed her but was wounded. The dying Jatayu, having conveyed crucial information about Goddess Sita's captivity, was granted “moksha” or divine liberation by Lord Ram in Lepakshi.

Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple

Located in the Thrissur district of Kerala, the Guruvayur Temple is dedicated to Guruvayurappan, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Also known as the Dwarka of the South, the temple is one of the most popular religious sites in the state. Here, Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Krishna. The idol is the representation of Lord Vishnu as revealed to Krishna’s parents during his birth.

On January 17 morning, the PM will offer prayers here.  According to a famous legend, Lord Krishna asked his charioteer Udhava to save the Vishnu idol when Dwarka was being submerged in a flood. Udhava sought the help of Lord Vayu and installed it at Guruvayur.

Triprayar Sree Rama Swami Temple

Located in Thrissur district, this temple is dedicated to Lord Ram.  The idol of Lord Rama resembles chaturbhuja Vishnu having four arms holding a conch, a disc, a garland, and a bow.

Also read: PM Modi, temple authorities ask people to visit Ayodhya after Jan 23

According to legends, this idol of Lord Ram was worshipped in Dwaraka by Lord Krishna. When Lord Krishna left his mortal body, the idol was submerged in the sea and later found by some fishermen near Chettuva region in Kerala. The idol was installed in the temple constructed by  local ruler Vakkayil Kaimal.

Notably, this is the first time, the Prime Minister will hold an event for booth workers in Kerala. The party has never won a Lok Sabha seat in the state and the only time it won an Assembly seat was in 2016, but it lost this too to the CPI(M) in 2021.