Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set for a significant spiritual tour on Friday, with visits to Goa and Karnataka.
He will arrive in Partagali, South Goa, this afternoon to join the 550th-year celebrations of Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math and unveil a 77-foot bronze statue of Lord Ram. The Prime Minister’s Office said he will also inaugurate the newly developed Ramayana Theme Park, release a commemorative postal stamp and coin, and address devotees gathered for the event.
Organisers expect a large turnout. “More than 15,000 people are expected from all over India. PM will first visit Lord Ram’s bronze statue, then our Ram Mandir, and address the people,” S Mukund Kamath, Joint Convenor of the organising committee, told ANI.
He added that the broader 11-day festival has drawn nationwide interest. “In 11 days’ time, more than 1.2 lakh people are expected here. There will be cultural programs, and renowned artists, including Shankar Mahadevan and Anup Jalota, and others, will be performing.”
The Math, regarded as the first Gowd Saraswat Brahmin Vaishnava Math, traces its lineage to the Dvaita school founded by Jagadguru Madhvacharya in the 13th century. Its headquarters are located on the banks of the Kushavati river in Goa.
PM Modi to visit Udupi today
Before reaching Goa at 3:15 pm, the Prime Minister will spend the morning in Udupi, Karnataka. Around 11:30 am, he will take part in the Laksha Kantha Gita Parayana, a massive devotional gathering of nearly one lakh participants, including students, monks, scholars, and citizens, who will recite the Srimad Bhagavad Gita together at Sri Krishna Matha.
During his time there, he is scheduled to inaugurate the Suvarna Teertha Mantapa and dedicate the Kanaka Kavacha, a golden covering for the sacred Kanakana Kindi, the window from where Saint Kanakadasa is believed to have had a divine vision of Lord Krishna. Sri Krishna Matha itself was established over 800 years ago by Madhvacharya.
Ahead of the visit, the Prime Minister said he felt “honoured” to be part of the Udupi programme.
“I am honoured to be visiting Sri Krishna Matha in Udupi to take part in the Laksha Kantha Gita Parayana programme tomorrow, 28th November. This is a special gathering that brings together people from different sections of society for a recital of the Gita. This Matha has a very special significance in our cultural life. Inspired by Sri Madhvacharya, it has been at the forefront of serving society,” he wrote on X.