Teppotsavam to be held at Bhadrachalam on Dec. 20

Preparations for teppotsavam, the annual float festival, to be held in Bhadrachalam on December 20, are in full swing in the temple town.

The personnel of the Irrigation Department are working round the clock to tastefully decorate the specially hired boat for the colourful float festival.

The department has devised an elaborate action plan envisaging deployment of 40 swimmers, 15 rescue boats and two fire tenders along the karakatta (flood bank) during the float festival to be held in the waters of the Godavari in the temple town late on Sunday afternoon.

According to official sources, only 26 persons will be allowed to travel in the boat with the processional idols of Lord Rama and his consort Sita on board the Hamsa Vahanam during the celestial cruise as part of the float festival.

The authorities have made arrangements for a full-fledged trial run of the Hamsa Vahanam on Saturday, sources added.