Why PM chose Nashik's Panchvati to begin rituals for Ram Mandir opening

Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared today (12 January) that he is undertaking a set of special rituals (anushthan) ahead of the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on 22 January. The Indian leader said he will start following “Yama Niyama” for 11 days from Panchvati in Maharashtra’s Nashik.In an over 10-minute audio message on X, Modi said he is experiencing sentiments he has never felt before. He said that “only 11 days are left for the consecration of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. I am fortunate that I will also be a witness to this auspicious occasion. The Lord has made me an instrument to represent all the people of India during the consecration. Keeping this in mind, I am starting a special ritual of 11 days from today. I am seeking blessings from all the people. At this moment, it is very difficult to express my feelings in words, but I have tried from my side.”Modi is set to visit Panchavati dham in Nashik on Friday as part of the Yama Niyama. “It is said that to participate in a ceremony like the consecration, one must try to feel a part of the divine force within oneself,” The Hindu quoted the PM as saying in the audio message.Why is Panchvati important in the epic Ramayana? What will PM Modi’s anushthan entail? Let’s take a closer look.Significance of PanchvatiIt is said that Lord Ram, Goddess Sita and Lord Lakshman spent a few years of their 14-year exile in Panchvati.Located on the banks of river Godavari, the pilgrim town attracts several tourists every year owing to its significance in the Ramayana. Panchvati is linked to the important episode of Sita Haran in the epic.As per an Outlook Traveller report, Ram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, set up a cottage beneath Panchvati because of the presence of five banyan trees (pancha vat) which is considered auspicious. Surpanakha, the sister of demon king Ravana, who lived nearby got attracted to the young princes from Ayodhya.While there are many versions of the tale, it is believed that she first proposed to Ram. However, he rejected her marriage proposal, saying he was already wed. She then went to Lakshman, who also declined her.As Surpanakha turned violent, Lakshman, Ram’s younger brother, cut her nose. According to beliefs, Nashik derives its name from the Sanskrit word for the nose – Nasika.Looking at a wounded Surpanakha, her cousins, Khara and Dushana, who occupied the Dandak forest, went to fight Ram and Lakshman but were defeated by the princes. Surpanakha then went to her brother, Ravana, the Lanka king. To take revenge for her sister's insult, he devised a plan with the help of the demon Maricha.Maricha transformed into a beautiful golden deer to lure away Ram and his younger brother from Sita. After they went looking for the deer deep into the forest, Ravana, disguised as a sage, deceived Sita and abducted her. He then carried her away in Pushpak Viman to Lanka and held her captive in the Ashoka garden.These incidents make Panchvati an important pilgrim site for Hindus.Panchvati: A treat for Hindu pilgrimsThe Kalaram temple in Panchvati area derives its name from the idols of Ram, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman carved out of black stones. As per legend, sages of Panchvati implored Lord Ram to get rid of demons occupying the region. The prince assumed his ‘Kala Roop’, meaning invoked his dark side, to slay the demons, as per Make My Trip blog.PM Modi offered prayers at the Kalaram temple on Friday.The famous Ram Kund and Sita Gupha (or Sita's cave) are also present in the pilgrim town.There are many other temples in and near Panchavati, including Naroshankar, Kapileshwar and Muktidham.What will PM Modi’s anushthan entail?PM Modi started the “Yama Niyama” from Friday during which he will observe a fast for all 11 days.“The Prime Minister continuously follows the rules like Brahmamuhurta Jagran, Sadhana, and Satvik diet in his daily routine”, a person in the know of the matter told Hindustan Times (HT).Sources told News18, the PM will keep the fast with strict penance as a ritual.Modi said in his audio message on X said he would adhere to all the rules on the day of the opening of the Ram temple and before with the strictness mentioned by the scriptures despite his hectic schedule.With inputs from agencies