KADAPA (AP):Religious fervour and gaiety marked Srirama Navami celebrations at Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple at Vontimitta, considered the Ayodhya of the South, in Kadapa district on Saturday. The festival was celebrated for the first time officially here, after the state’s bifurcation.
Incidentally, the celebration coincided with the second day celebration of the nine-day ‘BrahmotSavams’ at the temple, which had commenced on Friday.
On the occasion of Srirama Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama, the idols of Lords Rama and Lakshmana and Goddess Sita were specially decorated. Deputy Chief Minister KE Krishnamurthy, along with his wife, presented silk robes and ‘Mutyala Talambralu’ (pearls) to the Lord on behalf of the state government.
Thousands of devotees thronged the temple to witness the celebrations. Special ‘poojas’ were held for the Lord on the occasion. At 11.47 am, the chosen auspicious time, ‘Dhwajarohanam’ was performed amid chanting of Vedic hymns by Veda pundits who were specially invited for the occasion. Temple authorities made special arrangements for the convenience of the visiting devotees who thronged the temple from the early hours of the day.
The APSRTC operated special bus services between Kadapa and Rajampet for the convenience of devotees. The district health department set up two health centres and Rural Water Supply department officials provided drinking water.