Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday visited the historic Veerbhadra temple, which holds immense significance with the Jatayu episode in the Ramayana, and offered prayers.

According to live footage streamed on an official YouTube channel, Modi sang songs in praise of Lord Ram, listened to special hymns sung in Telugu praising the deity and also watched puppet shows of Ram, Lakshman, Sita and Ravana on the epic Ramayana. saw.

The PM performed special prayers at the Sri Satyasai temple located in the district. This temple has great significance in the Ramayana and Hinduism and his visit comes just six days before the Pran Pratistha (consecration) ceremony of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Apart from participating in the rituals, the guides also briefed the Prime Minister about the importance of the temple.

Legend has it that Lepakshi is the place where the legendary vulture Jatayu fell after being seriously injured by the demon king Ravana, who abducted Sita.

Dying Jatayu revealed to Lord Rama that Sita had actually been taken to the south by Ravana, and had then granted her salvation.

The ancient Lepakshi temple complex is famous for its mythological grandeur and also has temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Papanatheshwar, Raghunath, Rama and other deities.

Before Lepakshi, PM Modi had visited Shri Kala Ram Temple in Nashik, Maharashtra. A few days ago he had visited Panchavati on the banks of river Godavari in Nashik. He offered prayers at the Kala Ram temple and listened to Marathi verses from the Ramayana about Lord Ram’s “Ayodhya Aagaman” (arrival in Ayodhya).

Before reaching Lepakshi, Modi posted a message on ‘X’, saying he would visit the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala in the next two days.

In the next two days I will be among the people of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Today on 16th January I will get the opportunity to offer prayers at Veerbhadra Temple, Lepakshi. I will also listen to verses from Ranganatha Ramayana, which is in Telugu,” he said.

The PM also inaugurated the new campus of the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics at Palasamudram in the state.

On Wednesday, Modi said he would offer prayers at Guruvayur temple and Thriprayar Sree Ramaswamy temples in Kerala and address a public meeting in Kochi, besides inaugurating some key projects.

Upon his arrival in Andhra Pradesh at Puttaparthi airport earlier in the day, the Prime Minister was given a grand welcome by Deputy Chief Minister Narayana Swamy, Hindupur MP Gorantla Madhav and other leaders and dignitaries.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)