Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed BRICS leaders at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi with Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathaswamy Temple as the ceremonial backdrop, placing Rameswaram’s spiritual and architectural heritage at the centre of the 18th BRICS Summit.
Modi Welcomes BRICS Leaders at Bharat Mandapam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received visiting leaders on September 12 as India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and other dignitaries were among those welcomed at Bharat Mandapam. The two-day summit on September 12 and 13 brings together BRICS member nations, partner countries and invited delegations.
Ramanathaswamy Temple Becomes a Global Backdrop
The official welcome area featured a large visual of the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. During the ceremony, Modi was seen briefly explaining the temple backdrop to Xi Jinping and also interacting with other visiting leaders about its significance.The choice placed one of Tamil Nadu’s most prominent religious landmarks before an international audience during a major diplomatic gathering.
Why Ramanathaswamy Temple Is Significant
Located in Rameswaram, the Ramanathaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines. It has deep associations with the Ramayana and is an important part of the Rameswaram pilgrimage tradition.
The historic temple is also celebrated for its religious significance and centuries of architectural development. Tamil Nadu’s HR&CE records state that the shrine remained under the care of a monk until the 10th century, while rulers and patrons subsequently contributed to its expansion and renovation.
Tamil Nadu Heritage Showcased at BRICS Summit
By using the Rameswaram temple as the welcome backdrop, India combined cultural presentation with high-level diplomacy at the BRICS Summit 2026. Held under India’s chairship, the summit brings together emerging and developing economies for discussions covering global governance, multilateralism, trade and investment, technology, food and energy security, healthcare and resilient supply chains.The prominent display of Ramanathaswamy Temple also showcased Tamil Nadu’s religious, historical and architectural legacy before leaders from across the world.
