Kerala - Pathanamthitta   

Preparations on for Bhagavatha Sathram

Staff Reporter

To be held in Thiruvalla from December 25 to January 1

Pathanamthitta: The Sathra Nirvahana Samiti has started preparations for the 23rd Akhila Bharatha Srimad Bhagavatha Sathram, to be held at the famous Sreevallabha Temple in Thiruvalla from December 25 to January 1. The temple town of Thiruvalla is full of colourful cutouts bearing pictures of Lord Guruvayurappa and Lord Sreevallabha, announcing the mega spiritual event. The personalities to address the eight-day spiritual discourse include Malliyoor Sankaran Namboodiri (better known as Bhagavatha Hamsom), Acharya Krishnapremi of Chennai, Sri Uthradom Tirunal Marthanda Varma, head of the Travancore royal family; Kuttiyanippuram Kesavan Namboodiri and Bombay Chandrashekhara Sarma. Mata Amritanandamayi is also expected to bless the spiritual retreat in its last stages.

According to the organisers, not less than 50,000 people are expected to attend the Sathram daily and all of them would be provided with free food. Tantri Akeeramon Kalidasa Bhattathiri, who is also the chairman of the Sathra Nirvahana Samiti, launched the work on the Yajnavedi (main pandal) of the Sathram in the northwest corner of the temple premises on Tuesday morning. The devotees brought an areca tree pole from the adjoining Venpala. The Tantri erected it at the temple premises, after performing puja, in an atmosphere charged with devotion, marking the beginning of work on the three-storey main pandal.

The Yajnavedi to be constructed in an area of 10,000 sq ft would accommodate not less than 7,000 persons. Another pandal for conducting the Akhandanamajapa Yajnam would be erected on the southeastern side of the temple, according to the organisers.

Thiruvalla is all set to make the Sathram a mega event and the Government departments such as the PWD and KWA have started various works to facilitate the smooth conduct of the programme.

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