A touch of Tamil Nadu’s cultural heritage took centre stage at the BRICS Summit on Saturday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping and other world leaders against a backdrop featuring the iconic Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram.
The cultural setting added another Tamil connection to the 18th BRICS Summit in the national capital, a day after Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural.
Modi Welcomes Xi, Putin And Other BRICS Leaders
Modi received Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed
Al Nahyan and other leaders ahead of the summit.
During Xi’s welcome, Modi was seen briefly explaining the significance of the Ramanathaswamy Temple backdrop to the Chinese President.
Why The Rameswaram Temple Backdrop Matters
The Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram is one of India’s most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites and one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located on Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu, the temple is also associated with the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit.
The temple is particularly known for its striking architecture, including its vast corridors lined with intricately carved pillars. It also has 22 sacred water wells, or teerthams, within its premises, which hold deep religious significance for devotees.
The temple is also closely associated with the Ramayana. According to Hindu tradition, Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva at this site after his return from Lanka, giving the temple its deep connection with both Shaivite worship and the story of Lord Rama.
The Rameswaram backdrop at the BRICS venue therefore brought a distinct Tamil cultural and religious reference to the high-level diplomatic gathering. This came a day after PM Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, another prominent symbol of Tamil literary heritage.
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