Rituals catch the eye in Krishna Pushkaralu

Amaravati: As part of the ongoing Krishna Pushkaralu, the Utsava idol Sri Malayappa Swamy received Pushkara Harathi on Sunday evening at the Padmavati ghat.

The Utsava Idol of Malayappa Swamy was taken in a procession from the model Srivari temple up to the river banks and the ghat. Pushkara Harathi is a glittering event that caught the imagination of the pilgrims.

The ritual performed on the lines of Ganga Harathi and Godavari Harathi is a spectacular ceremony with handful of colorfully dressed priests presenting Harathi to Goddess Krishnamma at one of the main ghats in Vijayawada along the Krishna River. Presenting Harathi to river Goddess is an age-old Hindu ritual performed from bygone days.

It is an act to please the Goddess to shower prosperity and health on the towns, villages and people she transcends across her journey across India. The AP government had pursued the Harathi culture on the lines of Ganga Harathi at Varanasi and had presented the spectacular Godavari Harathi last year at Rajahmundry. The Harathi is tastefully choreographed and presented with rich colours and glittering performance by the priests.

After receiving the Pushkara Harathi, the utsava idol of Malayappa Swamy was returned to the model Srivari temple where prestigious Unjal seva was performed for the deity as per agama traditions. Tirumala JEO K.S. Srinivasa Raju, OSD Seshadhri and others took part.

Meanwhile, Mr Raju said that the TTD has been providing upma and tomato rice till date and from Monday, pongal also will be distributed to pilgrims.

Anna Prasadam is distributed at TTD Kalyana mandapam, Railway station, Bus stand, Pushkanagar, Tadepalli in Guntur district, Ratham centre in Undavalli town, Model Dairy in Kolanukonda, AIMS at Mangalagiri, Nalakapeta and at other places.