DID YOU KNOW? Lepakshi's Veerbhadra temple, that PM Modi visited, shouts out its connection with Ramayana

Amravati, Jan 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday offered prayers at the Veerabhadra temple in Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh. A place that holds important significance in Ramayana. PM Modi chose a traditional attire on his visit to the temple.

He is on a two-day visit to Andhra Pradesh and Kerala on Jan 16 and 17. The Prime Minister will also hear verses from the Ranganatha Ramayana which is in Telugu.

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What is the Ramayana connect?

Interestingly, significance of the ancient Veerabhadra Lepakshi temple dates back to the Indian epic of Ramayana and the name itself shouts it out loud. But we hardly give it a thought as to why would a word like 'Lepakshi' was included in the name of a temple. Incident from the Hindu epic of Ramayana that shares its story with the place, is that of Jatayu.

Over the next two days I will be among the people of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Today, 16th January, I will have the opportunity to pray at the Veerbhadra Temple, Lepakshi. I will also hear verses from the Ranganatha Ramayan, which is in Telugu. Thereafter, I will inaugurate the…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 16, 2024

According to Ramayana, Jatayu from Nashik's Panchavati, a bird, was a friend of Bhagwan Ram's father King Dasharatha. During vanvas, when Bhagwan Ram started living in Panchavati, he was first introduced to Jatayu. Later during the vanvas when Ravana was kidnapping Sita and abducting her to Lanka, it was Jatayu who had tried to rescue Sita from Ravana. During their conflict, Ravana had cut off his wings and Jatayu had fell to the ground. When Bhagwan Ram and Lakshman reached their search for Sita, they came to know the complete details of Sita's abduction from Jatayu.

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It is believed that the bird Jatayu, wounded by the king of Lanka, Ravana, fell here after the battle, when Ravana was carrying away Sita, wife of Bhagwan Ram, the king of Ayodhya. When Ram reached the spot, he saw the bird and said compassionately to him, 'Le Pakshi' — meaning 'Arise, bird' in Telugu. The roof of the temple is painted with panels of murals depicting scenes from Mahabharata, Ramayana and other Pauranic legends.

PM Modi's plan ahead

PM Modi will hold a roadshow in Kerala's Kochi at 7:15 pm. Prime Minister Modi will perform pooja and darshan at Guruvayur Temple in Kerala on the morning of January 17. "He will also perform pooja and darshan at Thriprayar Shree Ramaswami Temple at around 10:30 AM. After that, at around noon, the Prime Minister will inaugurate important infrastructure projects related to the ports, shipping, and waterways sector," PMO said.