Thousands of devotees from all corners of the district witnessed the celestial wedding of Sri Sita Rama Swamy that was celebrated on a grand scale on the occasion of Sri Rama Navami at Ramatheertham in Nellimarla mandal on Saturday. The devasthanam made elaborate arrangements to meet the rush of devotees and the police beefed up security at the temple.
Endowments Minister P. Manikyala Rao presented silk clothes and ‘mutyala talambraalu’ presented by TTD to the presiding deity and participated in the kalyanamahotsavam. Wishing people prosperity and peace, the Minister sanctioned Rs. 1.71crore for all round development of the temple.
He said following pressure from Uttarandhra Saadhu Parishad and elected representatives from the region the government issued orders directing him to participate on behalf of the government in the celestial wedding of Sri Sita Rama Swamy at Ramatheerthaalu though the government had declared that the official celebrations would be conducted at Vontimitta in Kadapa district on the full moon day.
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Rural Development Minister K. Mrunalini said the ancient temple would be developed as per the sentiments of the locals.
Visakha Sri Sarada Peetham Peetadhipati Swaroopananda Saraswati welcomed the government’s initiative on Godavari pushakaraalu. The temple trustee P. Ananda Gajapathi Raju,
Nellimarla MLA P. Narayana Swamy Naidu and officials participated in the kalyanotsavam.
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Hailed
Meanwhile, Uttarandhra Sadhu Parishad and Viswa Hindu Parishad hailed the official celebration of Sri Ramanavami at Ramateertham along with Ontimitta Kodandarama Alayam. VHP-Srikakulam wing president Suru Chandrasekhara Rao, General Secretary B. Shyamsundara Rao said the State government honoured the sentiments of North Andhra devotees.
Thousands witness celestial wedding at the temple