Vemulawada temple spruced up for Rama Navami celebrations

Karimnagar: The famous Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy temple at Vemulawada in the district is spruced up for the celebration of Sri Ramanavami with great fanfare on Saturday.Starting from the auspicious Telugu New Year day, Ugadi, the Vasantha Navarathri Utsav will take place for nine days.

Joginis marry the Lord at the ancient Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy temple on the occasion of Sri Ramanavami for their prosperity and wellbeing and throw grains of yellow rice (Akshathalu) on each other. This is an ancient tradition which is still continuing. They will also witness the celestial wedding of Lord Rama with Sita, though it is a temple of Lord Shiva. Devotees in large numbers, from far flung places throng the temple after taking a dip in the holy tank (dharmagundam), wear new clothes and decorate themselves as brides of Lord Shiva.

They also carry a Trishul (trident) after decorating with flowers and tying a bell to it. They also bring a bag full of Thalambralu to sprinkle on their heads at the time of the celestial wedding. To denote that they are married to Lord Shiva, they wear a Rudrakshamala. They go to the houses of the local priests (Jangamaiahs) who help them put the Rudrakshamalas around their necks symbolising their marriage. While watching the celestial wedding, they shake their Trishuls and make sounds with their bells.

At a time when the Jogini system was being abolished, the Joginis in Vemulawada manage to continue the traditions. Even the eunuchs (Hijras) participate in Sri Ramanavami celebrations at the temple in large numbers by singing and dancing for about one week.Speaking to the media here on Friday, the officials of Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Devasthanam said that they were expecting two lakh devotees on the occasion and they made elaborate arrangements for their stay. Two lakh water packets would also be distributed to them, they said.