AP CM Offers Silk Robes to Lord Kodandarama at Ontimitta Kalyanotsavam

Kadapa: The annual Sri Sitarama Kalyanotsavam at the historic Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple was held with grandeur on Wednesday, with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu being the main presence at the celestial wedding ceremony along with his family.

The chief minister, accompanied by his spouse Nara Bhuvaneswari and grandson Nara Devansh, offered silk robes and pearl talambraalu to the presiding deity amid Vedic chants.

Temple priests accorded the couple a traditional ceremonial welcome and later presented sacred cloth along with Vedic blessings. The dignitaries were also given holy water, prasadam and a portrait of Lord Rama.

After offering the ceremonial robes, the CM and his family proceeded by road to the Kalyana Vedika, greeting devotees along the way. They were warmly received by the TTD chairman and several public representatives.

Earlier, when Bhuvaneswari arrived at Kadapa airport, she was received by local legislators before proceededd to Vontimitta by road.

The AP government has been organising the Vontimitta Kalyanotsavam as an official state event with increasing grandeur since the 2014 bifurcation.

The ceremony began with the Edurkolu ritual at 6:30pm, followed by the main Kalyanam at 7pm. The rituals included the traditional placing of cumin and jaggery on the deity’s head and the sacred wedding ritual, performed as per temple traditions.

On the occasion, TTD presented offerings to the deity, including a one-kg gold ornament for adorning the presiding idol and a two-kg silver vessel. It is customary for TTD to present such offerings to its affiliated temples.

The temple premises wore a festive look with dazzling illumination and elaborate decorations. Cultural programmes held in the temple premises captivated the mood of the devotees. Students from TTD-run Sri Venkateswara Music and Dance College presented vibrant folk and classical dance performances depicting episodes from the Ramayana.

Elaborate arrangements were made by TTD and the district administration for the smooth conduct of the event. Over 120 galleries were set up opposite the Kalyana Vedika to accommodate devotees.

Drinking water, buttermilk and packed prasadam, along with the famed Tirumala laddu, were distributed free of cost.

Thousands of devotees thronged the venue, filling all the galleries to capacity. The celestial wedding concluded on a grand note, with the chief minister later proceeding to the temple guest house.

Earlier in the day, a minor fire accident occurred near the Kodandarama Swamy temple, triggering brief panic among devotees and staff present at the site. According to sources, flames suddenly erupted from a generator van stationed near the temple premises.

The fire caused a tense situation as thick smoke quickly spread around the area. Fire services personnel deployed at the venue responded promptly and managed to douse the flames.

The cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained.