Spiritual fervour was at its best in this historical temple town on Saturday as Lord Rama was united in wedlock with Sita at a glittering celestial wedding ceremony held on the occasion of Sri Ramanavami here.
Thousands of devotees from far and near, including both the Telugu States – Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, witnessed ‘Sri Sitarama Tiru Kalyana Mahotsavam’ with spiritual exuberance.
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao presented ‘mutyala talambralu’ and ‘pattuvastrams’ on behalf of the State government to Lord Rama and Sita during the celestial wedding.
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Mr. Rao earned the honour of presenting ‘mutyala talambralu’ to the temple deity in the capacity of the first Chief Minister of the new State of Telangana in tune with the age-old temple tradition. His wife K. Shoba and other family members were also present. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) officials also presented ‘pattuvastrams’ at the ceremony.
Several devotees from East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh arrived in the temple town on foot demonstrating their unflinching devotion to the temple deity.
Earlier, the utsav idols of Lord Rama and his consort Sita were brought to the venue in an impressive ceremonial procession.
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The idols were adorned with ‘Patchala Pathakam’, ‘Chintaku Pathakam’ and other ornaments gifted by saint composer Bhakta Ramadasu, the founder of the shrine.
Devotees had the darshan of the deity soon after the celestial wedding.
Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, Minister for Endowments A. Indrakaran Reddy, Minister for Roads and Buildings T. Nageswara Rao, Parliamentary Secretary Jalagam Venkat Rao and others were present.