Paruveta celebrations to begin at Ahobilam temple on Jan 16

KURNOOL: Despite Covid protocols, devotees thronged the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarujuna Swamy in Srisailam on Thursday which was marked as Mukkoti Ekadasi. Besides, Sankranti celebrations are in full swing, with a vahana seva being offered each day of the festival, said temple executive officer S. Lavanna.

Mukkoti Ekadasi was observed across the district on Thursday with religious fervour, with many going on a fast for the day. In Ahobilam, devotees flocked to the Sri Narasimha Swamy temple in the early hours to catch a glimpse of the Lord. Long queues were witnessed at the temples. The Ahobilam Mutt made arrangements to ensure hassle-free darshan.

Large crowds were reported at temples including Sri Venkateswara Swami temple in Kurnool, Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Veldurthi and Chennakesava Perumal temples in Koilakuntla and Banaganapalle.

The Ahobilam temple authorities are all set to start the 41-day Paruveta celebrations, to celebrate the wedding invitation of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy from January 16 onwards. This event would start at Bachepalle nearby the Ahobilam temple in the Nallamalla forest.

It is believed that Lord Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy invites his devotees for his marriage during the Paruveta Utsavams, temple manager K. Badri Narayanan said. The 33 surrounding villages in the Allagadda Assembly constituency would be covered during the event which ends on February 25 at the Ahobilam temple. The Swamyvari Kalyanotsavam will be held in the traditional manner.

Some tribals and priests of the Ahobilam temple, considering themselves representatives of the Lord, take out a procession called Paruveta, with the idol of Lord Sri Narasimha Swamy in a palanquin during the event and invite people to wedding.