Nellore: A large number of devotees participated in the casting of the idol of Lord Ayyappa at his temple in Sullurpeta on Thursday. Though a temple was built more than a decade back, an idol has not installed because of various problems. Ayyappa devotee Chandramouli Guruswamy of Tirupati supervised the sacred ritual in the presence of temple trustee Venati Ramachandra Reddy and special invitee Somireddy Rajagopal Reddy, son of agriculture minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy.
Interestingly devotees donated 30 sovereigns of gold, 7 kg silver, a large amount of cash and a tractor load of copper vessels following an appeal by Ramachandra Reddy to participate in the rare ritual. TD floor leader in Nellore ZP and former chairman of Sri Changala Parameswari temple at Sullurpeta Ramachandra Reddy said they are overwhelmed by the huge turnout and their contribution while crediting Lord Ayyappa for the successful completion of the holy ritual. He said sculptors from Tirupati commenced the process of casting the two and half feet idol at 3 am which was completed by 12 noon on Thursday. He added that the authorities will set date for installation of the idol on March 30.
