Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday visited the Veerbhadra Temple in Andhra Pradesh's Lepakshi - a place that holds important significance in Hindu epic Ramayana.

Lepakshi is believed to be the site where Jatayu, the giant eagle, followed Goddess Sita after she was abducted by Ravan.

The dying Jatayu, having conveyed crucial information about Goddess Sita's captivity, was granted 'Moksha', the divine liberation by Lord Ram in Lepakshi.

The Prime Minister's spiritual journey down south comes just days ahead of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

The Prime Minister is on a two-day trip to Andhra Pradesh and Kerala from today to launch several development projects, including the New Dry Dock and the International Ship Repair Facility at Cochin Shipyard Limited.

On Wednesday, PM Modi will offer prayers at Guruvayur and Thriprayar Shree Ramaswami temples in Kerala, the Prime Minister's Office said.