MANDYA: Thousands of pilgrims across the country witnessed the Vairamudi Utsava at Melkote on Sunday. The utsav was held amid chanting of mantras.
The procession of decorated Lord Sri Cheluvanarayana Swamy was taken out on the streets of Melkote after placing the diamond-studded crown on the deity.
Pilgrims coming from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Nepal, Ayodhya and other parts of the country took darshan of the deity and seeked the blessings of Sri Cheluvarayaswamy.
The thirteen-day festival which began on March 27 will end on April 8. The Maharathotsava will be held on April 4 at 10am. Security arrangements were made by the Mandya District Administration.
District In-charge and Home Minister R Ashok, MLA Puttaraju, Deputy Commissioner P C Jaffar, ZP CEO Jayaram and other dignitaries were present.