Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday began a special 11-day religious exercise preceding the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22, as he spoke about experiencing feelings like never before in his life.
“I am emotional. I am overwhelmed with emotions. For the first time in life, I am experiencing such feelings,” he said, noting that the dream which many generations carried in their hearts like a resolve will be witnessed by him as it is being realised.
The inner journey he is undergoing can only be felt and not expressed, Modi said in an audio message, adding that he is unable to articulate with words the depth, expanse and intensity of the feelings.
The prime minister said it is a sacred occasion for all Indians and Lord Ram’s devotees and that everyone is waiting for the historic moment on January 22 when the idol of Ram will be consecrated at what is believed by followers as his birthplace. He said it is his good fortune that he will be a witness to this auspicious occasion.
As the prime minister starts the rituals from Dham-Panchvati in Nashik, News18 brings to you the significance of Panchvati and how it ties to the great epic Ramayana.
It is believed that when Lord Ram was in exile for 14 years with Sita and Lakshman, he spent some time in Panchvati by building a hut. Panchvati translates to land of five banyans and the spot was chosen as it was considered auspicious due to the presence of the great trees.
It was also from Panchvati that Lanka’s ruler Ravana had abducted Sita after Lakshman cut off his sister Shurpanakha’s nose and ears.
Panchvati is often referred to as Western India’s Kashi due to the presence of a number of temples here. Kalaram Temple, Kapaleeshwar Temple, Ganga Godavari Temple, Sundar Narayan Temple, Talkuteshwar Temple, Neelkantheshwar Gorarama Temple Muralidhar Temple, Tilabhandeshwar Temple, Balaji Temple, Sandavyachi Devi Temple, Vitthal Temple, Pataleshwar Temple, Naroshankar Temple, Ramkund, Kartikswami Temple, Dutondya Maruti, Katya Maruti temple, Panchmukhi Hanuman temple, and Bhadrakali temple are among the religious stops here.
The Kalaram Mandir, which was visited by PM Modi on Friday, is said to be not just an architectural wonder but also a spiritual marvel. The temple is built right where Lord Ram is believed to have set up his hut with Sita and Lakshman. The story behind how the temple got its name is that the sages of Panchvati pleaded with Ram to get rid of the demons in the region. Lord Ram then took on his ‘Kala Roop’, or invoked his dark side, to defeat them.
Another spot worth visiting is Sita Gufa (The Cave of Sita). It is said that Sita was a devotee of Lord Shiv and used to pray to him inside a cave, now known as the Sita Gufa. Sita Gufa is also believed to be the place from where Ravan kidnapped Sita.
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