Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the revered Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, on Sunday, after inaugurating India’s first vertical lift sea bridge — the New Pamban Rail Bridge. The Prime Minister was welcomed and garlanded by the temple priest during his visit.
The Ramanathaswamy Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, holds deep mythological and spiritual significance. It is believed that Lord Ram worshipped here before crossing the Ram Setu to reach Sri Lanka in his quest to rescue Sita. The temple also boasts the longest corridor among all Hindu temples in India.
Ahead of the inauguration, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi also paid a visit to the temple.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi shared his spiritual experience via social media, highlighting a special moment during his return from Sri Lanka. “On the way back from Sri Lanka a short while ago, was blessed to have a Darshan of the Ram Setu. And, as a divine coincidence, it happened at the same time as the Surya Tilak was taking place in Ayodhya. Blessed to have the Darshan of both,” he posted on X.
Following the inauguration, PM Modi flagged off the first train to run across the 2.07-kilometre-long New Pamban Bridge, which connects Rameswaram to mainland India across the Palk Strait. The bridge’s functionality was demonstrated as an Indian Coast Guard boat smoothly passed beneath the elevated structure, showcasing its maritime clearance. Soon after, a train successfully crossed the bridge, affirming its rail connectivity and engineering strength.
The Prime Minister is also scheduled to hold roadshows in other Tamil Nadu cities as part of his visit.