The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Fervour marks celestial wedding

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 19, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Fervour marks celestial wedding

Staff Reporter

In line with the tradition, YSR presents `pattu vastram' to the Lord, consort

FESTIVE BIND: The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, and the Minister for Endowments, M. Satyanarayana Rao, at Sri Sitarama Kalyanotsavam at Bhadrachalam on Monay. Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar

BHADRACHALAM: The temple town echoed to vedic hymns as Lord Rama was united in wedlock with his consort, Sita, on Monday. The rituals of the celestial wedding performed as per the Pancharatragamashastra marked the celebration of Sri Ramanavami in the temple.

Keeping in with the tradition, the Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, attended the Sri Sitarama Kalyanam and presented "pattuvastram" and "mutyala talambralu" on behalf of the Sate Government. The Minister for Endowments, M. Satynanarayana Rao, was also present.

Overnight stay

The devotees, who camped overnight on the sand dunes of the riverbed, joined the religious procession in a big way as the idols were carried in a palanquin to the Mithila stadium.

The devotees were engrossed in Ramanama Smaranam as the idols were seated in the richly decorated kalyanamantapam.

The vast multitude had a glimpse of the famous Chintaku Pathakam and Patchala Pathakam. The idols were adorned with the precious ornaments gifted to the deities by the saint poet Bhakta Ramadasa. The TTD trust board chairman, T. Subbarama Reddy, and a host of dignitaries and officials took part in the celebration.

The kalyanamandapam was packed to the full though the temple authorities curtailed free entry into the special enclosures. Distribution of "mutayala talambralu" and prasadam was arranged inside the enclosures.

Volunteers of many service organisations distributed water packets among devotees. The district Collector, R. J. Nimje, and the Superintendent of Police, Bhavana Saxena, were among the officials who received the Chief Minister and other dignitaries.

Less than expected

The turnout of devotees was less than expected. It was mainly for two reasons -- poor publicity and the harsh sun.

Many devotees reached the town a day in advance being under the impression that the festival would be celebrated on April 17. There was no adequate publicity about the festival date, facilities and arrangements.

Very few had access to accommodation in the temple choultries and private hotels. Many of the suites in the guesthouses and hotels were reserved for the officers on duty or the policemen on bandobust.

Those who camped on the river bank had their cup of woe. The town was lashed by strong gales accompanied by showers on Sunday evening. The families, drenched in the rain, beat a retreat.

The mercury touched 41.5 degree Celsius in the temple town on Monday. As the festival was telecast live by different channels, devotees preferred to watch the proceedings from their houses.

There were no crowds on the roads outside the kalyana mantapam, which was unusual on the festival day. Though the arrangements were made for over one lakh devotees, the turnout was around 75,000, said an officer.

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