Devotional fervour marks ‘teppotsavam’

Illuminated swan-shaped float carrying the processional deities as part of the annual ‘teppotsavam’ of Lord Varaha Lakshmi Nrusimha Swamy in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.

Teppotsavam’ (float festival) of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Nrusimha Swamy of Simhachalam was performed with devotion on Tuesday evening.

In the ‘alankaram’ of Sri Venugopala Swamy, the Lord was brought in a procession down the hill by steps along with consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi.

At the ‘toil pavancha’, temple executive officer K. Ramachandra Mohan offered the traditional welcome. In a tastefully decorated ‘Hamsavahanam’ the deities were taken to the ‘kalyanamanapam’ amid the Pushkarini.

HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao, MLAs P. Vishnu Kumar Raju and Peela Govinda Satyanarayana Murthy and ZP Chairperson Lalam Bhavani were in the boat.

Priest Morta Sitaramacharyulu explained the significance of the ‘teppotsavam’ celebrated on ‘Pushya Bahula Amavasya’.

Head priest Gopalakrishnamacharyulu and Stanacharya T.P. Rajagopal performed special pujas.

Later, the deities were taken in a ceremonial procession through the streets of Simhachalam. Cultural programmes were performed.