Brahmotsavams at Vontimitta temple from April 7

Sri Rama Navami Brahmotsavams will be conducted in the ancient Sri Kodandarama temple at Vontimitta from April 7 to 17, temple committee chairman Bollu Narasimhulu said.

Detailing the Brahmotsavam schedule, he said Vyasabhishekam and ankurarpanam will be performed on April 7, dhwajarohanam, Sri Rama jayanti, Pothana jayanti and seshavahan seva will be performed on April 8, Venuganalamkaram and Hamsa vahana seva on April 9.

Vatapatrasai alamakaram and Simha vahana seva will be performed on April 10, navaneetha Krishnalamkaram and Hanumatseva on April 11, Mohini alamkaram and Garudaseva on April 12, siddhanurbana alamkaram, edurukollu, kalyanotsavam and gajavahana seva on April 13, rathotsavam on April 14, kaliyamardhana alamkaram and aswavahana seva on April 15, chakrasnanam on April 16 and dhwajavahoranam and ekantaseva on April 17, Mr. Narasimhulu said.

About five lakh devotees were expected to attend the kalyanotsavam and other religious rituals, he added. He said that the temple ratham and other vahanas should be repaired. The road around the temple should be laid for rathotsavam and women police personnel deployed as well.

He wanted water filled in Ramatheertham and Lakshmama theertham with the help of pipelines. Mr. Narasimhulu wanted plain-clothed policemen posted during bandalagudu competition.

Addressing a meeting with officials, police and temple committee members, Rajampet Revenue Divisional Officer Vijaya Sunitha told officials to make special arrangements to manage the crowd by putting up barricades to prevent stampede and arranging a queue system for darshan of the presiding deities. Cultural programmes such as kavitha goshti, Harikatha, devotional music and dance programmes will inspire devotion among devotees, she said.

The RDO told medical and health officials to keep ambulances ready in case of a sun-stroke. She directed the police to organise bandobust to avert anti-social activities near the temple. Ms. Vijaya Sunitha told officials to ensure that political campaigns are not allowed near the temple in view of the large congregation.