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Prime Minister Welcomes BRICS Leaders with Ramanathaswamy Temple Backdrop
The Prime Minister’s BRICS leaders’ welcome comprises a backdrop featuring Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathaswamy Temple. The news context comprises factual details about the Ramanathaswamy Temple located at Rameswaram Island, Tamil Nadu.
Ramanathaswamy Temple:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Ramanathaswamy Temple comprises a Hindu temple located on Rameswaram Island in the state of Tamil Nadu. |
| Deity | Ramanathaswamy Temple comprises a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. |
| Puranic association | As per the Puranas, the temple tradition comprises Lord Ram’s arrival at Rameswaram with Sita and Laxman after victory over Ravana, and comprises worship of a Shivalinga for expiation linked to Ravana’s killing as a Brahmin. |
| Name association | The name “Rameswaram” comprises a link to the belief about Lord Ram and the Shivalinga worship at the temple. |
| Meaning of “Ramanathaswamy” | “Ramanathaswamy” comprises a reference to Lord Rameswara, or Eswara, associated with Lord Ram’s consecration of the Shivalinga. |
| Construction and patronage | The construction timeline comprises the first stone temple by Chola kings in the 12th century, additions by kings of the Pandya dynasty and rulers of Vijayanagar, gifts by Krishna Deva Raya in 1513 after conquering Lanka, guardianship by the Sethupati kings of Ramnad during the rule of the Nayakas, and final completion by the Sethupati kings. |
| Jyothirlinga status | The temple comprises 1 of the 12 Jyothirlinga temples, where Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlingam, meaning “pillar of light”. |
| Jyothirlinga distribution | The 12 Jyotirlingas comprise 11 in the north, and only Ramanathaswamy in the south. |
| Char Dham status | The temple comprises 1 of the 4 Char Dham shrines; the other three comprise Dwaraka, Puri, and Badrinath. |
| Char Dham deity-specific detail | The temple comprises the only shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva among the four Char Dham shrines. |
| Architecture style | The temple architecture comprises Dravidian architecture characterized by towering gopurams and intricate carvings. |
| Compound wall | The temple premises comprise a high compound wall (madil) on all four sides. |
| Corridor and dimensions | The temple corridor comprises the longest corridor among all Hindu temples in India, and comprises measurements of 197 metres from East to West and 133 metres from South to North. |
| Interior structure | The temple interior comprises extensive halls between enormous colonnades on platforms over 5 ft. |
| Wall material and carvings | The colossal granite walls comprise intricate carvings and depictions of Hindu deities. |
| Holy wells | The temple comprises 22 holy wells, with water believed to have healing properties and used in rituals. |