The temple of Goddess Sri Padmavathi at Tiruchanur here is spruced up for the annual ‘Kartheeka Brahmotsavams’ slated to begin this Friday.
‘Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam’ was performed on Tuesday by smearing a rich paste of vermilion, sandal, turmeric, camphor and other aromatic products over the inner walls of the sanctum sanctorum, marking purification and sanctification. ‘Laksha Kumkumarchana’ and the initiatory ritual ‘Ankurarpanam’ will be performed on Thursday. The temple flag will be hoisted atop the flag post (Dhwaja Sthambam) on Friday, signalling the beginning of the nine-day grand occasion.
Events
The important days of the fete are Pedda Sesha Vahanam (Nov. 30), Kalpa Vriksha Vahanam (Dec. 2), Gaja Vahanam (Dec. 3), Garuda Vahanam (Dec. 4) and Rathotsavam (Dec.6). The event ends with a grand finale in the form of Panchami Theertham (Dec.7), when over a lakh devotees converge in the temple tank ‘Padma Sarovaram’ to take a holy dip along with the deity. According to mythology, Goddess Padmavathi manifested in this tank on ‘Sukla Paksha Panchami’ day in the Kartheeka month.
Executive Officer M.G. Gopal inaugurated the renovated temple kitchen (Potu) on the temple premises on Wednesday. Similar to Tirumala, the temple can now boast of advanced facilities, including ‘boondi’ making machine, which augments the capacity to make 40,000 laddus a day. Mr. Gopal invited the public to take part in the annual Brahmotsavams. Joint Executive Officer P. Bhaskar explained the different entry and exit points developed to reach the temple for the festival.
‘Sowbhagyam’ ends
Meanwhile, the ‘Sowbhagyam’ programme meant to use the services of women to invite the residents in and around the temple area for the Brahmotsavam concluded on Wednesday after covering 108 temples.
