Bhadrachalam town, the abode of Sri Sitaramachandra Swamy, is bedecked with impressive welcome arches inviting devotees for the ensuing celestial wedding and ushering in spiritual splendor ahead of Sri Ramanavami festival slated for March 28.
The historical Sri Sitaramachandra Swamy temple in the heart of the temple town is colourfully illuminated with special lighting. The Midhila Stadium abutting the main temple complex is all set to host Sri Sita Rama Tiru Kalyana Mahotsavam on Saturday and Srirama Maha Pattabishekam on Sunday. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will present pattuvastrams to the divine couple – Lord Rama and Sita – during the celestial wedding on Saturday. Telangana and AP Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan will participate in Sri Rama Maha Pattabishekam ceremony to be held at Midhila Stadium on Sunday, according to official sources.
The Bhadrachalam sub-division police threw a multi-layered security blanket around the tribal heartland of Bhadrachalam in view of the VVIPs’ visit to the temple town in the next two days.
Meanwhile, various special pujas and holy rituals -- including Agni Pratishta, Dwajarohanam, and Bheri Puja -- were performed at Sri Sitaramachandra Swamy shrine in Bhadrachalam on Thursday as part of the ongoing Sri Ramanavami Brahmotsavams.
AP to celebrate Ramanavami in Vontimitta, not Bhadrachalam
HYDERABAD: March 15, 2015, DHNS:
Andhra Pradesh (AP) Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will attend the celestial wedding of Lord Srirama on Sriramanavami on March 28 and present silk vastram and “mutyala thalambralu” (Pearls) on behalf of the government as per the tradition followed since 1956.
However, there will be a change of venue. This time, the celebrations will be held in the 450-year-old Sri Kodandarama temple in Vontimitta of Kadapa district almost 564 km away from Bhadrachalam.
The government decided to perform the celestial wedding at Vontimitta temple after Bhadrachalam became a part of Telangana following bifurcation of the state last year.
While Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao will be carrying the offerings to the Lord on behalf of the people of his state in Bhadrachalam, Naidu was forced to scout for a suitable temple. After a thorough search, the department of endowments zeroed in on Vontimitta, which is now being spruced up to host the annual event. Vontimitta is 25 km from Kadapa town under the Rajampet Assembly segment.
One will not find an idol of Lord Hanuman along with the main deities in the sanctum sanctorum which is very rare and the Seeta Rama kalyanam in this temple is held in the night, while it is performed during the day elsewhere in the country. Meanwhile, Uttara Andhra Sadhu Santh Organisation has filed a PIL in the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad questioning the unilateral decision of the AP government in selecting Vontimitta, and for not considering the Ramateertham temple in Nallamarla mandal of Vizianagaram district.
In addition, the plans of the Kadapa district administration to expand the temple periphery hit a road block. Their move to evacuate all the 85 residences located in the south of the temple has found stiff resistance.
However, there will be a change of venue. This time, the celebrations will be held in the 450-year-old Sri Kodandarama temple in Vontimitta of Kadapa district almost 564 km away from Bhadrachalam.
The government decided to perform the celestial wedding at Vontimitta temple after Bhadrachalam became a part of Telangana following bifurcation of the state last year.
While Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao will be carrying the offerings to the Lord on behalf of the people of his state in Bhadrachalam, Naidu was forced to scout for a suitable temple. After a thorough search, the department of endowments zeroed in on Vontimitta, which is now being spruced up to host the annual event. Vontimitta is 25 km from Kadapa town under the Rajampet Assembly segment.
One will not find an idol of Lord Hanuman along with the main deities in the sanctum sanctorum which is very rare and the Seeta Rama kalyanam in this temple is held in the night, while it is performed during the day elsewhere in the country. Meanwhile, Uttara Andhra Sadhu Santh Organisation has filed a PIL in the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad questioning the unilateral decision of the AP government in selecting Vontimitta, and for not considering the Ramateertham temple in Nallamarla mandal of Vizianagaram district.
In addition, the plans of the Kadapa district administration to expand the temple periphery hit a road block. Their move to evacuate all the 85 residences located in the south of the temple has found stiff resistance.
