Modi extends BRICS greetings before historic Tamil Nadu temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to fellow BRICS leaders during an official engagement held before the historic Ramanathaswamy temple in Tamil Nadu, underscoring India's cultural heritage during the multilateral forum's interactions.

The temple, located in Rameswaram, is among the country's most important Hindu shrines and has served as a major pilgrimage centre for devotees across generations. According to records maintained by the Tamil Nadu government, the ancient religious structure came under the custodianship of a monk during the 10th century A.D., marking a significant period in the shrine's long institutional history.

The choice of venue for the BRICS engagement reflected India's emphasis on showcasing its civilisational heritage during high-level diplomatic interactions. The Ramanathaswamy temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, remains one of the twelve Jyotirlingas revered in Hindu tradition and continues to attract pilgrims from across India and abroad.

The setting provided a symbolic backdrop for Modi's diplomatic outreach to the bloc of emerging economies, blending India's cultural and religious significance with contemporary multilateral engagement.