VIJAYAWADA : Religious fervour gripped Andhra Pradesh as several organisations took out Shobha Yatras and performed special pujas across the length and breadth of the State to celebrate Ram Lalla’s homecoming to Ayodhya, on Monday.
In Kadapa, special pujas at Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple drew a large number of devotees. Large TV screens were set up to stream live telecast of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya, creating an atmosphere where devotees fervently chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram’.
In Badvel, the Arya Vysya Vinayaka Utsav Committee and Vishwa Hindu Parishad organised a grand Rama coronation programme at the four-road junction, adding to the significance and grandeur of the occasion. Children adorned as Rama, Sita and Hanuman, adding to the festive fervour.
A vibrant celebration unfolded at the serene Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy temple in Sri City. Vedic scholars’ sacred chants during Sri Rama Raksha Homam echoed, creating a divine aura. Students from IIIT, Chinmaya Vidyalaya, and Accord School joined the vibrant chorus of bhajans and Hanuman Chalisa recitals.
In Kurnool, a large number of devotees participated in Sri Rama Shobha Yatra. Various Hindu organisations, political leaders and devotees arrived at Jammi Chettu where the procession started amid ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans. Shobha Yatra was taken out till the exhibition ground near the old control room in the city. Bajrang Dal State convener T Pratap Reddy thanked the devotees for making the rally a success. A similar type of procession was organised at Kallur.
Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt unveiled a 57-foot idol of Sri Rama, which was installed on the banks of Tungabhadra river in Mantralayam. The towering statue is a result of collaborative efforts by various contributors, notably the Abhayam Trust based in Bengaluru and others from Hyderabad.
Coinciding with the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya, the statue of Sri Abhaya Rama also traditionally launched in front of the statue of Sri Abhaya Anjaneya on Madhavaram Road near Mantralayam.
The spirit of Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya Ram Mandir resembled in East and West Godavari districts, where people thronged bathing ghats for a holy dip and offered prayers at Rama temples. Rama temples in Rajamahendravaram, Gollala Mamidada, Sri Ramagiri, Kovvur, Bhimavaram, Palakollu, Narasapuram and Jangareddygudem witnessed huge rush of devotees.
Vijayawada city witnessed an array of cultural programmes, bhajans, rallies and events to mark the occasion. A soul-stirring Bhakti Swararchana programme unfolded at Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy temple in Governorpet. Noted vocalists Vemuri Sudhakar, Modumudi Sudhakar and Karthika Triveni rendered Keerthans on Lord Srirama.
A Shobha Yatra, showcasing the glory of Lord Rama, traversed the streets as a symbolic celebration of Pran Pratishtha event in Ayodhya.
ISKCON in Vijayawada echoed with the chanting of Ram Naam Japa, an invocation that began in the early hours of Monday. Samarasata Seva Foundation played a significant role in spreading devotional fervour across the city.
Ekaham, a day-long recitation of Rama Namam, unfolded at Rama Mandir in Krishnarajapuram. Nagar Sankeerthana took place in Tenarpet, while a day-long Bhajan programme enchanted the devotees at the renowned Abhaya Anjaneya temple in Machavaram Down.
In Visakhapatnam, scuba divers of Live In Adventures celebrated the occasion in a novel by installing a portrait of Lord Rama on the seabed which is 22 feet underwater at Rushikonda Beach in the city.
Speaking to TNIE, Balaram Naidu said five scuba divers installed the portrait 22 feet deep to mark the 22nd date on which the consecration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was held. Former Union minister and MANSAS chairman Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju offered special prayers at Kodanda Rama temple at Ramatheertham to mark the occasion.
It’s a blessing for all: Purandeswari
State BJP chief D Purandeswari, who is touring Kurnool and Nandyal districts, offered prayers at Srisailam temple on Monday and later witnessed the consecration ceremony of Ayodhya Ram Mandir live. She termed it a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness the Ram temple consecration ceremony. “Seeing the enchanting visage of Ram Lalla during Pran Prathishtha is a great blessing for all,” she said