Kanniyakumari, 31 May: Prime Minister Narendra Modi did the ‘Surya Arghya’ rite at Vivekananda Rock Memorial before dawn on Friday as part of his meditation routine. PM Modi performed the ‘Surya Arghya,’ a spiritual rite that involves saluting the Almighty in the shape of the sun and praying with folded hands.
A brief video clip titled ‘Sunrise, Surya Arghya, Spirituality,’ released by the BJP on its ‘X’ handle shows the Prime Minister pouring little amounts of water into the sea as a sacrifice (Arghya) and praying with his prayer beads (Japa mala). The BJP also tweeted photos of the Prime Minister, dressed in a saffron shirt, shawl, and dhoti, meditating at Dhyan Mandapam, with incense sticks burning gently in front of him.
PM Modi moved around the mandapam holding his japa mala. Photographs of PM Modi in meditative pose appear to have been taken at various occasions, as do video recordings.
Kanniyakumari is known for its dawn and sunset, and the memorial is placed on a small islet along the coastline. The Prime Minister began meditating at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial on the evening of May 30 and is slated to finish on the evening of June 1.
