ANANTAPUR: AP government is making elaborate arrangements for the Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam at Vontimitta Kodandaramalayam, which will be celebrated as the state festival from March 31 to April 8, when the annual brahmotsavams of the temple are also scheduled.
The celestial wedding of Lord Sri Rama and Goddess Sita will be on April 5. It will be on the same lines as the wedding at Bhadrachalam. However, while Bhadrachalam celebrates the wedding on Sri Rama Navami, the tradition of Lord Srirama Temple at Vontimitta in YSR district for centuries is to conduct the wedding coinciding with the full moon day.
TTD executive officer (EO) Dharma Reddy reviewed the arrangements being made for the Srirama Navami Utsavalu at Vontimitta on Sunday. Kadapa collector Vijaya Ramaraju, SP KKN Anbu Rajan, TTD JEO Veera Brahman and other officials participated in the meeting.
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is scheduled to offer the traditional clothes to Lord Srirama and Goddess Sita on April 5. The celestial wedding will be held at the Kalyana Vedika near the temple premises.
Dharma Reddy instructed officials to complete the pending works as early as possible. TTD has deputed its officials to Vontimitta for the duration of the wedding celebrations. Vigilance officials of TTD will coordinate with local police in making necessary security and parking arrangements for the visiting devotees, especially at the Kalyana Vedika on the wedding day of April 5, when huge crowds are expected.
The vigilance department will set up a control room to monitor and ensure the smooth conduct of the state-sponsored Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam.
As the summer is expected to be severe at the time, TTD will keep ready water and buttermilk for distribution among devotees. Talambralu will be distributed to every devotee.
