Thousands of devotees in Vijayawada witness chariot procession
VIJAYAWADA:Scores of devotees made a beeline on Canal Road in the city on Sunday to witness the annual Rathotsavam of Lord Bhramaramba Malleswara Swamy and His two consorts Ganga and Parvati.
The management committee of Sri Kanyaka Parameswari Anna Satram, One Town, organised Rathotsavam as part of Maha Sivaratri celebrations.
Besides the ‘ratham’ decorated with flowers and festoons, a couple of well-decorated tractors too were used to take out the processional deities of Bhramaramba Malleswara Swamy, Bhadrakali Veerabhadra Swamy and Ganga Parvathi Sametha Vasantha Malleswara Swamy.
Cultural troupes enthralled huge crowds with the traditional ‘Kolatam,’ ‘Puli Veshalu’ and ‘Lambada’ dances.
The procession began from Ratham Centre at 5 pm.
Police Commissioner Gautam Sawang flagged off the procession by breaking a coconut. The procession moved gently with the women waiting on the roadside with their offerings like rice and fruits competing with each other to have a close glimpse of the processional deities.
Priests performed various rituals to the processional deities amidst Vedic hymns as part of the festival.
Meanwhile, police and organising committee made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the festivities. The organising committee provided prasadam to the devotees who took part in the chariot procession, which continued for about two hours in a peaceful manner.