Modi takes holy dip in Rameswaram sea ahead of Ram temple consecration; WATCH

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi was at his religious best ahead of the inauguration of the Ram temple in the northern holy town of Ayodhya on Monday (22). He is on a tour of the southern state of Tamil Nadu this weekend and on Saturday (20), the prime minister offered prayers at Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram in the Ramanathapuram district of the state after taking a holy dip at the Agni Teerth beach in the adjoining Bay of Bengal.

Rameswaram has a special significance for Hindu epic Ramayana as Lord Ram is believed to have built a stone bridge from a region near the town to cross over to Lanka to rescue his beloved wife Sita from demon king Ravana. It is known for the Ramanathaswamy Temple dedicated to Hindu god Shiva and is one of the holiest places in India for the Hindus and a part of the Char Dham pilgrimage.

Modi was seen displaying a rudraksh mala (sacred necklace), prayed at the temple. He was accorded traditional honour by the temple's priests. Modi also took part in 'bhajans' (devotional songs).

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He reached the temple by an Indian Air Force helicopter after offering prayers at Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tamil Nadu's Tiruchirapalli district and was given a warm welcome by the members of his Bharatiya Janata Party and local people.

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He also held a roadshow in Rameswaram.

(With PTI inputs)