NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed BRICS leaders at Bharat Mandapam against a backdrop featuring Tamil Nadu’s iconic Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram, highlighting the country’s rich cultural heritage during the summit.
Modi received Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other leaders attending the 18th BRICS summit being hosted by India.
The leaders exchanged handshakes and posed for photographs against the backdrop of the Ramanathaswamy temple. While welcoming Xi, Modi also explained the religious and cultural significance of the shrine to the Chinese president.
India is hosting the BRICS summit from September 12 to 13, with leaders of the grouping’s 11 member countries and 10 partner countries, besides representatives of international organisations, participating in the event.
The Ramanathaswamy temple, located in Rameswaram, is among the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites and is the only one among them dedicated to Lord Shiva. The other three Char Dham shrines are located in Dwarka, Puri and Badrinath.
The temple is also one of India’s 12 Jyotirlinga shrines and holds significance for followers of both Shaivism and Vaishnavism.
According to Hindu religious traditions, Lord Ram is believed to have worshipped and consecrated a Shivalinga at Rameswaram after defeating Ravana, seeking to atone for the killing of Ravana, who was regarded as a Brahmin.
The shrine’s history spans several centuries, with successive rulers and patrons contributing to its construction and renovation. The temple’s East Rajagopuram, standing 126 feet high with nine tiers, was completed between 1897 and 1904.
Rameswaram remains an important pilgrimage destination, with the traditional Kasi-Rameswaram Yatra beginning in Kasi and concluding with worship at the Ramanathaswamy temple.
The temple’s depiction at the venue added a cultural dimension to the arrival of the BRICS leaders as India hosted the summit focused on strengthening cooperation among member and partner countries.