Bhadradri decked up for Sitarama Kalyanam

- Thousands of devotees pour in to witness celestial spectacle - Security beefed up for CM and Governor's visit - Stampede at prasadam counter

Bhadrachalam: Thousands of devotees started pouring in to temple town of Bhadrachalam on Thursday to witness the celestial wedding of the Lord Srirama with his consort Sita on the auspicious occasion of Sri Rama Navami on Friday and coronation of the Lord Rama on Saturday.

The celestial wedding is performed traditionally on the birthday of the Lord. Devotees believe that witnessing of the celestial wedding would bring them good fortune. The Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy would present traditional 'pearl thalambralu' and silk cloths for the celestial couple on Friday and witness the wedding mahotsavam to be performed at Mithula Stadium in the town.

The Governor ESL Narasimham would attend the coronation ceremony on Saturday. The pre-marriage ritual 'edurukollu utsavaram' was performed on Thursday evening with gaiety and fervor. The deity was taken in a procession from the temple to the Vaikunta North Gate. The temple town was decorated with flowers and arches for the auspicious occasion.

The town was vibrating with the chants of Srirama by the ardent devotees in the anxious expectation of witnessing the celestial spectacle of the wedding. The security was beefed up in view of the visit of Chief Minister and the Governor in the backdrop of recent encounters on the borders of state and Chhattisgarh.

Even though the temple officials claimed that, all arrangements were made for the successful conduct of the festival, the devotees were not getting accommodation in the temple town. Most of the accommodation in the temple guest houses and choultries was cornered by the supporters of the politicians and government officials, it is alleged.

While the officials claimed that there was enough stock of laddus, there was stampede in the prasadam queue due to shortage of laddus. Earlier, the officials claimed that about one and half lakh devotees were expected and two and half lakh laddus were ready.

Sita-Rama Kalyanam in temple for deities after a 12-year prison life

Kanigiri: The idols of Rama and Sita that have been in the Pamuru police custody at their station for the past 12 years were 'released' on Thursday.The 'panchaloha' deities were stolen from the village temple of Bommpeddupadu in Pamuru mandal of Prakasam district in 2001. Warangal police recovered the stolen idols from a gang of thieves in 2003 and handed them over to Pamuru police.

They had remained in the police station ever since as the villagers failed to approach the police with a request to take possession of them. The reason was said to be group rivalry as each group had been celebrating Rama Navami separately. As a result, the police themselves had taken up the responsibility of performing pooja and celebrating Srirama Navami in the police station itself.

But this year things have changed; or there is a change of heart in group leaders. The Bommpeddupadu villagers have come to an understanding regarding possession of the idols on the directive of the Superintendent of Police and approached the Pamuru police who promptly handed them over to the villagers, in time for Srirama Navami celebrations.

According to Pamuru Circle Inspector Sk Baji Jan Saida and Sub Inspector G Hazarath Babu, the villagers were excited over celebrating the celestial wedding today of the 'released' Lord and his consort in their temple after a gap of 12 years.

Parrot chanting Lord's name at Ram's feet

Ponnur (Guntur): In a surprising incident, a parrot was found chanting Rama's name near the feet of Lord Rama at the Ramalayam situated at SPP Road here on Thursday.

The temple priest, like any other day, opened the temple in the early hours on Thursday. He unlocked the sanctum sanctorum of the temple to start the cleanup activities of the day, but was surprised to see a parrot near Lord Rama's feet. He tried to shoo it away, but the parrot was neither scared nor made a move. Indeed, it was reciting the Lord Rama's name.

With a day left for Srirama Navami festival on Friday, the presence of parrot (Ramachilaka) at Lord's feet is believed to be an auspicious sign. As a result, the temple witnessed heavy rush one day before the festival Rama Navami as scores of devotees from various parts of the town started thronging the temple.