Author:
Publication: The New Indian Express
Date: April 8, 2006
URL: http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEA20060408030618&Page=A&Title=Southern+News+-+Andhra+Pradesh&Topic=0
[Note from the Hindu Vivek Kendra: Amazingly
a member of the Marxists is present for such a function.]
The celestial wedding of Lord Rama and his
consort Sita at the Ramachandra Swamy temple was soul-soothing for the thousands
of devotees who gathered here for the event on Friday.
The devotees went into rapture as the holy
mangala sutram was tied amid chanting of Vedic mantras, blowing of conch and
beating of drums.
All roads in the town led to Sri Seetaramachandra
Swami temple and the devout began pouring into the venue since wee hours.
Sleeplessness, security hassles and inadequate facilities did not deter them
from participating in the Kalyanotsavam, the high point of the Ram Navami
celebrations.
The decorated deities were brought in a colourful
procession to the Kalyana mantapam, where they were seated on the silver Simhasanam.
Endowments Minister JC Diwakar Reddy presented
pearl 'talambralu,' and silk clothes to the Lord on behalf of the State Government,
a tradition in vogue since the days of Qutubshahi dynasty.
The members of Vandanapu clan from Warangal
offered the traditional .Navaratnas to the Lord and the three mangal sutras,
believed to have been presented by Janaka Maharaja, Dasaratha and Bhakta Ramadasa,
were tied around the neck of goddess Sita.
Union Minister T Subbarami Reddy, JC Diwakar
Reddy, Bhadrachalam MP M Babu Rao (CPM), MLAs and top district officials were
present.
