Modi greets BRICS leaders against the backdrop of the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Tamil Nadu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other world leaders pose for a family photo during the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. | Photo credit: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (September 12, 2026) welcomed the BRICS leaders against the backdrop of the iconic Ramanathaswamy Temple in Tamil Nadu, one of the Char Dham shrines where Lord Rama is believed to have performed puja after his victory over the demon king Ravana.

At the Bharat Mandapam, where the 18th BRICS Summit is underway, the Prime Minister received BRICS leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

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The leaders shook hands and took photographs against the backdrop of the iconic Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.

Mr. Modi welcomed Mr. Xi and also explained to him the significance of the temple.

India is hosting the BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13. It is attended by representatives of 11 member countries and 10 partner countries, in addition to some international organizations.

The Ramanathaswamy Temple is the only one dedicated to Lord Shiva among the Char (four) Dham shrines, three of which are in North India (Dwaraka, Puri and Badrinath). Of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines in India, 11 are in the north and only the Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga shrine is in the south.

Rameswaram is a great place of pilgrimage not only for Saivites but also for Vaishnavites. Considered one of the most important religious duties of Hindus, the Kasi Rameswaram Yatra begins in Kasi and ends by worshiping Lord Ramanathaswamy at Rameswaram. According to the Tamil Nadu government website, the historic shrine was under the care of a monk until the 10th century.

In the 15th century AD, Ramanathapuram king Udayan Sethupathi and a vaisya of Nagore built the western tower and ramparts. Then a wealthy individual from Madurai built the ‘Amman Sannidhi Corridor’ and did other renovation works. Subsequently, between 1897 and 1904, the 126 feet high, nine-stepped eastern rajagopuram (tower) was completed by the family of the Devakottai zamindar.

According to the Puranas, Lord Rama arrived here along with Sita and Lakshmana and consecrated and worshiped Shivalinga to atone for the sin of killing Ravana, who was a Brahmin. As its name suggests, Rameswaram is the holy place of Lord Rameswara i.e. Eswara (Shiva) consecrated by Lord Rama.

Published – 12 Sep 2026 21:37 IST