Prime Minister Narendra Modi is rigorously preparing for the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple. According to reports, the 73-year-old leader has adopted a disciplined routine, including sleeping on the floor and sustaining himself solely on coconut water in the past few days. A spokesperson of the prime minister's office confirmed this, stating that PM Modi's choice of coconut water aligns with the satvik diet, a necessity for conducting the rituals during the upcoming ceremony.
PM Modi's 11-Day Anushthan
Last week, PM Modi announced his commitment to observe Yama Niyam, a set of rules essential for 11 days before holy occasions. He also mentioned undertaking various rituals as part of an anushthan, emphasizing the spiritual significance of the preparations.
“Only 11 days are left for Ram Lalla’s ‘pran pratishtha’ in Ayodhya. I am fortunate to witness the auspicious occasion. God has asked me to represent the people of India during the ceremony. Keeping in mind, I am beginning an 11-day special ritual from today. I seek blessings from all of you,” the PM had said in a video on X.
Returning to Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was carried two things back from Kerala – the renowned Vazhakulam pineapple and refreshing tender coconuts. The sweet flavour of the coconut water left such an impression that the PM's staff requested 20 coconuts of the same quality to be taken to Delhi. The uncut tender coconuts were meticulously packed and included in the PM's luggage, transported separately to Kochi airport.
Bineeth Merry Jan, the guest house manager, told The News Indian Express, "Considering the PM's pure vegetarian diet, we organized a separate kitchen for him." The culinary offerings featured first-rate Vazhakulam pineapples, locally-cultivated dragon fruits, guavas, and papayas, alongside apples, oranges, watermelons, and dry fruits. The dinner spread included a variety, ranging from boiled rice, fried basmati rice, phulka, to North Indian dishes like malai kofta, rajma dal, aalu, and gobi. Traditional Kerala dishes such as aviyal, olan, and kalan were also on the menu.
PM Modi Slept On Yoga Mat
However, PM Modi opted for a modest meal, consuming only papaya and the specially sourced Vazhakulam pineapple. Bineeth highlighted the Prime Minister's appreciation for the broken wheat pudding (payasam) prepared by the staff. Despite procuring a coir mattress from Coirfed due to the PM's preference for a firm bed on previous visits, Modi chose to sleep on a yoga mattress placed on the wooden floor. The guest house provided three additional bedsheets for added comfort.
On the morning of his departure, Modi left the guest house at 6 am after relishing tender coconut water. The staff had prepared a diverse breakfast spread, including idli, dosa, appam, puttu, cornflakes, milk, and fruit juice. Notably, chefs from the Thrissur Government Guest House had been specially called in to Guruvayur to prepare breakfast for the Prime Minister.
Expressing his anticipation for Ram Lalla's 'Pran Pratishtha' in Ayodhya, PM Modi shared his gratitude for being chosen to represent the people of India during the auspicious event. Besides adhering to dietary restrictions and disciplined routines, PM Modi dedicated the week to visiting temples in western and southern India. Temples such as Panchavati in Nashik, Guruvayur in Kerala and the Veerabhadra temple in Andhra Pradesh were on his itinerary last week.
Upcoming Temple Tour In Tamil Nadu
The Prime Minister is scheduled to continue his temple visits, focusing on Tamil Nadu this weekend. His itinerary includes the Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tiruchirappalli, where he will engage with scholars reciting verses from the Kamba Ramayan. Later, in Rameshwaram, he will listen to the Ramayana in multiple languages, emphasizing Ram's return to Ayodhya. The tour also includes visits to the Kothandaramaswamy Temple in Dhanushkodi and Arichal Munai, believed to be the location where the Ram Setu was constructed.
On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has urged its members and functionaries to organise various programs in alignment with the January 22 ceremony. General Secretary Arun Singh instructed party workers to conduct cleanliness campaigns and celebrate the day akin to Diwali, creating a festive atmosphere around the monumental occasion.
