THRIPRAYAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited and prayed at South India's largest Sri Rama temple five days before the Prana Pratishta in Ayodhya. The Prime Minister reached the Thriprayar temple at 10:05 today morning and first bowed to Goshalakrishna on the north nada through the west nada. After offering the Neikkudum (ghee pot) there, he reached the ford of the river Theevra (Karuvannur river) which flows in front of the temple and performed Meenoot, the main offering of the temple, for all prosperity.

After spending two minutes by the river, he returned and entered the temple through the left side of the big Balikkallu(sacrifice stone). Approaching the sanctum sanctorum from the left side of the mukhamandapa, he first lit the lamp in the mandapam to please Lord Hanuman and later bowed to Sri Ramachandra. He offered neikudam, lotus flowers, tulsi and kadalikula to the Lord with folded hands.

Modi made the neikkudam offering on the topmost step, kadalikula on the second step and flowers on the third step. On this occasion, the temple Tantri Tharananellur Padinjare Mana Padmanabhan Namboothiripad gave the kalabha, lotus flowers and other flowers to Modi as Bhagwat Prasad. Purusha Sukta and Sri Rama Ashtothram Pushpanjali was done on behalf of the Prime Minister under anizham star. A gift containing the Moolamantra of Sri Rama Temple was presented. Tantri explained about the temple legend. After offering the neikudam in front of sub-god Ganesha and circumambulating it, he again bowed in front of the shrine.

Darshan was completed by offering neikudam to Shasta at South Nada. On this occasion Vedic students of Brahmaswam mutt chanted the Vedas on a specially prepared stage. Under the leadership of Indira Gandhi Center for Arts, music and dance performances were conducted under the direction of Irinjalakuda Nadopasana. The Prime Minister listened to all that for three and a half hours. Later, the Prime Minister honored the Temple Tantri Tharananellur Padmanabhan Namboothiripad. The organizers of the cultural program were also felicitated.

Dr. MK Sudarshan, President of Cochin Devaswom Board, presented the sculpture and portrait of Thriprayar Thevar crossing the river. The Cochin Devaswom Board handed over a petition requesting the inclusion of the temple in the Prasadam scheme.