TTD gears up for Sri Rama Kalyanam at Vontimitta

Elaborate arrangements were made for Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam to be performed with grandeur in the ancient Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy temple at Vontimitta in Kadapa district on April 20th night as part of the ongoing Sri Rama Navami Brahmotsavams, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Executive Officer D. Sambasiva Rao said on Tuesday.

The district administration made foolproof arrangements as Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu would take part in the celestial wedding. A two-tier barricading was put up to prevent entry of unauthorised persons.

An impressive kalyana vedika was built for the Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam, with seating arrangements for nearly 75,000 devotees with carpeting and shelters and a platform was built for accommodating VIPs, Dr. Sambasiva Rao said.

Besides 100 prasadam distribution counters, arrangements were made for distribution of drinking water and buttermilk satchets and ‘anna prasadam’.

All the devotees would be given a packet containing ‘thalambralu’ and a pearl, after completion of the ‘kalyanam’.

Separate entry and exit doors were arranged for common devotees, VIPs and TTD employees. Besides arranging 10 rooms with temporary toilets, mobile toilets were put up for important functionaries.

Two borewells were sunk for drinking water facility. Parking lots were arranged near Sri Kodanda Rama temple, near the Vontimitta tank and kalyana vedika.

The kalyana vedika would be constantly sprayed with water to counter the heat wave.

First aid centres with paramedical staff, medicines and ambulances were put up. Hundreds of sanitation employees were deployed to ensure cleanliness of the kalyana vedika in view of the heavy rush of devotees.

Glucose and ORS packets were made available for devotees. Electric lighting, floral decoration, welcome arches and LED signboards were put up. Pandals, drinking water, toilet and parking facilities were made.

Cultural programmes

Eminent singer Gangadhara Sastry of Hyderabad would render a music recital from 4.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on April 20. Film singer Kousalya and Pavan troupe would render a musical programme from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Governor, Chief Minister will attend the celestial wedding