Raghavaiah, a siddahanti from Krishna district, who had fixed the muhurtum of the swearing-in ceremony of the State Cabinet last year, will head the team of priests who will perform the rituals on the fields spread across 40 acres at Mandadam.
So, what is Bhoomi Pooja? The Hindu spoke to Srinivasa Ghargeya, once a TDP court astrologer. “Bhoomi Pooja is a ritual performed to appease Bhoo Matha (Mother Earth), as the construction of the capital involves digging and shovelling of earth. It is a supplication to Mother Earth not to react with anger at the acts done to her,” Mr. Ghargeya said.
The rituals to be performed over a period of several hours will include scores of priests rendering ‘Bhoo Suktham’, a special prayer to Mother Earth.A special ritual, ‘Gomatha pradakshana’ will also be performed, Mr. Narendra said.
