ERRAVELI (MEDAK DISTRICT): Buoyed by the grand success of Ayutha Maha Chandi Yagam, that concluded on a grand note here on Sunday, Chief Minister vowed to perform Prayuta Maha Chandi Yagam, if his ambitious plan to irrigate the whole state was fulfilled.
The five-day Ayuta Maha Chandi Yagam that attracted lakhs of devotees from across the state drew to a close on a impressive note on Sunday, despite a minor fire mishap.
The fire that burnt a part of the yagashala gave some tense moments to the organisers but was put out immediately.
The day also saw the bonhomie of the two Telugu Chief Ministers, K Chandrasekhar Rao and N Chandrababu Naidu, once again. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu accompanied by Union Minister Sujana Choudhary and his cabinet colleagues visited the Yagashala at 10.30 am. Irrigation minister T Harish Rao and priests accorded a warm welcome to the guests with ‘Purnakumbham.’
Clad in yellow clothes, the last days dress code for the yagam, Chandrababu Naidu entered the main yagashala where he was greeted by KCR. He accompanied Naidu to various parts of the yagashala and explained about how the yagam was being performed.
Naidu spent around one hour at the yagashala and the vedic priests offered blessings of Goddess Chandi to him. Naidu who wished all success to the Yagam left the yagashala around 11.30 am.
Later, Governor ESL Narasimhan arrived along with his wife and the ritual went on till 5 pm. The yagam came to an end with Purnahuthi.
KCR felicitated the ritwiks and the main priests who led the yagam. Speaking later, KCR said though some people got let down by the fire mishap, he was not deterred by the fire.
“I am set on two missions, Mission Bhagiratha and Mission Kakatiya. I want the blessings of Goddess Chandi as ‘yagaphalam’. I am also on the task of constructing projects by earmarking `25,000 crore yearly and if that materialises, I will perform Prayuta Chandi Yagam,” he vowed.
The minor fire mishap marred the proceedings for a brief period and also forced President Pranab Mukherjee to abort his plan to attend the yagam at the last moment.
The fire mishap took place around 1.10 pm when majority of the ritviks had left the yagashala for lunch.
According to sources, the flames from the homagundam spread to some cloth pieces tied to the poles. The flames spread fast.
However, the fire fighting personnel and police intervened on time and ensured that the flames come under control.
Nearly four fire tenders, which were kept on standby, rushed to the Yagasala and fought the fire.
Meanwhile, the choppers carrying President Pranab Mukherjee reached Erravelli and made a couple of rounds in the air to land. However, sources said there was no clearance to land the chopper as due to the fire incident. The helicopter returned to Hyderabad without landing at Erravelli.
Religious seer Swarupananda Swamy and renowned avadhani Madugula Nagaphani Sarma told Chief Minister KCR that the fire mishap was not a hindrance to his ‘sankalpam’ (vow).
“The yagashala has to be offered to Lord Agni, the first recipient of all Yagas.”
“Since the main event was performed, even the process has come to an end and Goddess Chandi showered her blessing on Rao,” they said.
A CMO release said the fire mishap took place when the yagam was stopped for sometime for the arrival of President.
“As the flames came under control, the arrangements for Purnahuthi were made later,” the release said.