Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 11 October 2026 offered prayers at the Jalakandeswarar Temple on the IIT Madras campus in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, accompanied by Governor Rajendra Arlekar and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. The temple visit was the opening engagement of a packed Chennai itinerary that included scientific, cultural, and infrastructure inaugurations — the Prime Minister's first visit to the city since the Vijay government assumed office.

Arrival and Airport Reception

Modi landed at Chennai airport at 10.58 am, where he was received by Governor Arlekar and Chief Minister Vijay. Also present at the airport were state ministers, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, BJP leader Nainar Nagenthran, and other party functionaries — a bipartisan show of welcome that underscored the significance of the visit.

Chennai Metro Phase II Flag-Off

Before proceeding to the IIT campus, Modi and Chief Minister Vijay jointly flagged off the first train on Chennai Metro Rail's Phase II network at Porur Metro Station. The newly opened Poonamallee–Vadapalani Metro corridor was reportedly constructed at a cost of ₹750 crore. Following the ceremony, the Prime Minister and Chief Minister travelled together by Metro from Porur to Poonamallee on the inaugural run — a symbolic ride that marked the public launch of the new service.

Temple Visit and Brain Research Centre

At the IIT Madras campus, Modi offered prayers at the Jalakandeswarar Temple, with Governor Arlekar and Chief Minister Vijay participating in the prayers alongside him. The temple engagement was followed by a visit to the institute's brain research centre, placing cutting-edge neuroscience squarely on the Prime Minister's agenda. This combination of cultural reverence and scientific curiosity has been a recurring feature of Modi's campus visits.

Ilaiyaraaja Music Centre Inauguration

Modi also inaugurated the IITM Maestro Ilaiyaraaja Centre for Music Learning and Research at IIT Madras, adding a distinctive arts-and-education dimension to an otherwise science-heavy itinerary. The centre, associated with legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja, signals IIT Madras's growing ambition to integrate cultural scholarship with its research mandate. Notably, it is rare for a premier technical institution to host a purpose-built music research facility of this scale.

Development Projects and What Comes Next

Modi was also scheduled to inaugurate a range of development projects across Tamil Nadu and lay foundation stones for new schemes at the main campus event, followed by an address to the gathering. The breadth of Sunday's programme — metro infrastructure, brain science, music education, and state development launches — reflects the Centre's effort to demonstrate visible delivery in a state governed by an ally. With Tamil Nadu's political landscape remaining competitive, the visit carries weight beyond its ceremonial optics.