All roads in the district lead towards the ancient and historic Sri Anjaneya Swamy Devasthanam in Kondagattu in Mallial mandal of Karimnagar district on Friday on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti celebrations.
The temple was packed to its capacity with the arrival of several thousands of devotees wearing the Hanuman Deeksha Mala from various parts of Telangana region. Devotees wore ‘Hanuman Deeksha Mala’ for 41 days and complete their ritual on Hanuman Jayanthi celebrations. Undeterred by the scorching sun, they walked bare foot to the temple from various parts of the district.
Even after an effort by the temple authorities to supply some water in the holy tank, which had dried up, the sheer number of devotees made it difficult for all of to take the bath in fresh water. Besides, the pilgrims had to shell out a huge amount in purchasing drinking water following an increase in the price of bottled water by the local traders
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The only saving grace was the erection of temporary sheds to protect the devotees from the scorching sun at the temple.
The police had made unprecedented security arrangements by deploying additional forces and they also banned movement of all vehicles on to the temple ghat road following the past experience of accidents during the festivities.
In Karimnagar, the locals took out a ‘Hanuman Shakti’ rally wherein the Hampi Vidyaranya Bharathi Swami participated along with BJP town president Bandi Sanjay Kumar and others. The rallyists carrying saffron flags went through busy streets of the town.
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Khammam Staff Reporter adds: Undeterred by the sweltering heat, hundreds of devotees watched the Palabishekam to the giant statue of Lord Hanuman at the Sitarama temple complex here on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti on Friday.
The temple priests climbed atop a makeshift ladder and poured milk on the huge statue of Lord Hanuman. The devotees offered offered special prayers at the temple.
Special pujas and rituals such as Panchamruthabishekam were performed at Dasanjaneya Swamy temple at Cheruvubazar, Jalanjaneya Swamy temple near Yellendu crossroads and other Hanuman temples across the town.
Bhadrachalam, the abode of Lord Sitaramachandra Swamy, turned into a sea of humanity, with hordes of devotees, including those who embraced Hanuman Deeksha, thronged the temple.