Pics: PM Modi offers prayers at Ramanathaswamy Temple, takes holy dip in 'Agni Tirtham'

PM Modi takes holy dip at the Agni Theerth beach in Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. Agni Tirtham is often referred to as the holy site of washing off one's sins. The prime minister's offering comes ahead of Ram Mandir's rituals on January 22.

Narendra Modi, the first Prime Minister to visit the temple Sri Ranganathaswamy temple at Sri Rangam in Tamil Nadu's Trichy, prayed with folded hands in the Lord Vishnu temple. On his arrival, he was accorded a ceremonial 'poorna kumbha' welcome amid Vedic chanting by priests. 

PM Modi offered prayers at the Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple earlier today. The prime minister said that he paid his obeisance at the religious site in Tamil Nadu "for the good health and well-being of 140 crore Indians".

The Srirangam temple has a religious and Tamil literary connect to the Ramayana. According to religious scholars, the idol of Sri Ranganathaswamy --a form of Vishnu-- at Srirangam was originally worshipped by Lord Ram and His ancestors.

PM Modi performed puja at Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, earlier on Saturday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple to offer prayers ahead of rituals of 'Pran Pratishtha' at Ayodhya's Ram Mandir on Monday. 

PM Modi listened to 'Kamba' Ramayana recitation by scholars at Sri Rangam temple, an ancient shrine linked to the Ramayana. Modi arrived in Tamil Nadu's Chennai on Friday as he is on a 11-day ritual ahead of 'Pran Pratishtha' (consecration) ceremony of Lord Ram in Ayodhya on Monday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi listening to verses of the Kamba Ramayan at the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. The temple holds religious relevance as this is the very temple where the Kamban first publically presented his Ramayana. 

PM Modi prayed to Sri Ranganathaswamy and he was blessed with 'Sadari' (Crown, symbolising Lord Vishnu's blessings) by temple priests. The PM prayed at several 'sannadhis' (separate enclosures for deities) including those dedicated to Vaishnavite saint-guru Sri Ramanjuacharya and Sri Chakkarathazhwar. He also took blessings from the temple elephant after feeding it.