The annual ‘Kartheeka Brahmotsavams’ at the Tiruchanur Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple got off to a ceremonious start with the ‘Dhwajarohanam’ on Saturday.
When the auspicious ‘Vrischika Lagnam’ was performed around 8.45 a.m., the priests hoisted the sacred flag (Dhwaja Patam) made of a yellow cloth atop the temple flag post, amid chanting of hymns from scriptures and the traditional playing of wind and percussion instruments. While the flag carries the image of ‘Garuda’, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the flag at Tiruchanur carries the image of ‘Gaja’ (elephant), the favourite celestial carrier of the Goddess. The hoisting heralds the onset of the nine-day fete and also marks an invitation to the celestial beings to take part in the colourful event.
Minister presents ‘Vastram’
As a presentation on behalf of the State government to Goddess Padmavathi, Endowments Minister C.Ramachandraiah brought a ‘silk Vastram’ and presented it to the temple officials and priests. He appreciated the TTD management for making elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the annual event and appealed to the public to visit the temple during the nine days. Minister for Mines and Geology Galla Arunakumari accompanied him. Mr. Ramachandraiah later inaugurated a ‘Floral Expo’ organised by the TTD’s Gardens department at the Friday Gardens. He went around the expo, where dioramas of mythological episodes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Krishna Leela were presented with flowers, vegetables and leaves.
Chairman K.Bapi Raju and Executive Officer L.V.Subrahmanyam earlier released a poster on ‘Visesha Pooja’ and ‘Homa Mahotsavam’ to be conducted in Sri Kapileswara temple from Nov. 14 to Dec. 13. Joint EO P. Venkatrami Reddy, Deputy EO Gopala Krishna and Assistant EO Venugopal were present.
