Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday innaugurated a towering 77-foot bronze statue of Lord Ram at the historic Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math in Canacona, South Goa. The unveiling marked a significant highlight of the Math’s 550th anniversary celebrations, drawing thousands of devotees and cultural enthusiasts to the sacred site.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math holds a unique place in India’s spiritual heritage. Recognised as the first Gowd Saraswat Brahmin Vaishnava Math, it is headquartered in Partagali, South Goa, and follows the Dvaita philosophy established by Jagadguru Madhvacharya in the 13th century. The Math has served as a spiritual and cultural anchor for the community for over five centuries.
S. Mukund Kamath, joint convenor of the organising committee, said ahead of the event that more than 15,000 people were expected to attend the celebration. “There will be cultural programs, and renowned artists, including Shankar Mahadevan and Anup Jalota, and others, will be performing,” he shared, highlighting the scale and grandeur of the festivities.
Before arriving in Goa, Prime Minister Modi visited the revered Sri Krishna Matha in Udupi, Karnataka, where he took part in the Laksha Kantha Gita Parayana—a massive spiritual gathering in which nearly one lakh participants recited verses from the Srimad Bhagavad Gita in unison. The event underscored the deep-rooted cultural and devotional traditions associated with the region.
Addressing the gathering in Udupi, PM Modi spoke about the significance of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya for the people of Udupi, noting that a special arch dedicated to Sri Madhwacharya has been constructed as a symbol of reverence. He emphasised the timeless relevance of the Bhagavad Gita, describing its teachings as essential for contemporary society.
“Lord Sri Krishna tells us in the Gita to work for public welfare. Slogans like ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ and ‘Sarvajan Hitaya’ are inspired by the verses of the Gita,” the Prime Minister said. He added that the scripture’s call to uplift the poor has guided major welfare initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat and the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana.
The unveiling of the massive Lord Ram statue stands as a tribute not only to the deity but also to centuries of tradition upheld by the Partagali Math. The event brought together spiritual leaders, devotees, artists, and community members in a celebration that blended devotion with cultural expression.
As the bronze figure of Lord Ram now stands tall against the Goan landscape, it symbolizes both the enduring legacy of the Math and the broader cultural resurgence surrounding India’s spiritual heritage.
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