There is no proper procedure for inspecting rathams by the Endowments department to check their safety.. (Representational image: X.com)
ANANTAPUR: Recent incidents of temple chariots breaking down are a wakeup call for temple managements to rethink on the condition of their God / Goddess’ rathams before planning their brahmotsavams.
For example, the big chariot carrying Lord Sitaram’s deity at Santhebidanur in Hindupur mandal got stuck after its front wheel got damaged during the return procession in the night a couple of days ago.
Good sense prevailed and the chariot stopped right there. Otherwise, it could have led to a major mishap.
The centuries’ old ratham at the historic Penna Ahobilum Lord Narasimha Swamy Temple got damaged last year. Temple committee got the chariot repaired after collecting donations from devotees. It also conducted a trail run on the temple premises.
However, it is a fact that many old chariots at various temples in the state pose a threat during the annual Brahmarathotsavam celebrations at the respective temple. Further, several of the roads over which these rathams travel are congested. Live electric wires hanging around are an additional threat.
There is no proper procedure for inspecting rathams by the Endowments department to check their safety. The R&B engineer of the area could be made responsible for issuing a fitness certificate before the rathotsavam could be taken out. The engineer can check the chariot for its strength and capability of movement. S/he can suggest repairs as well ahead of the Brahmarathotsavam.
A senior officer from the Endowment department said there is no centralised system to check the safety of chariots taken out during the rathotsavams.
It is also very costly to repair the traditional rathams. At least ₹20 lakh would be needed to repair a big chariot. It could cost more than ₹40 lakh to get a new chariot of the same size.
"As there are no funds with us, we are hiring a small chariot to perform the annual rathotsavam", said a committee member of the Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Madakasira.
For example, the big chariot carrying Lord Sitaram’s deity at Santhebidanur in Hindupur mandal got stuck after its front wheel got damaged during the return procession in the night a couple of days ago.
Good sense prevailed and the chariot stopped right there. Otherwise, it could have led to a major mishap.
The centuries’ old ratham at the historic Penna Ahobilum Lord Narasimha Swamy Temple got damaged last year. Temple committee got the chariot repaired after collecting donations from devotees. It also conducted a trail run on the temple premises.
However, it is a fact that many old chariots at various temples in the state pose a threat during the annual Brahmarathotsavam celebrations at the respective temple. Further, several of the roads over which these rathams travel are congested. Live electric wires hanging around are an additional threat.
There is no proper procedure for inspecting rathams by the Endowments department to check their safety. The R&B engineer of the area could be made responsible for issuing a fitness certificate before the rathotsavam could be taken out. The engineer can check the chariot for its strength and capability of movement. S/he can suggest repairs as well ahead of the Brahmarathotsavam.
A senior officer from the Endowment department said there is no centralised system to check the safety of chariots taken out during the rathotsavams.
It is also very costly to repair the traditional rathams. At least ₹20 lakh would be needed to repair a big chariot. It could cost more than ₹40 lakh to get a new chariot of the same size.
"As there are no funds with us, we are hiring a small chariot to perform the annual rathotsavam", said a committee member of the Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Madakasira.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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