The religious rituals for Sri Rama Navami started at the Sri Seetha Ramachandra Swamy temple in Bhadrachalam on Friday. The temple became vibrant with colors as devotees participated in Vasanthotsavam and Dolothsavam, which are celebrated during Holi Pournami.
Many devotees, especially women, took part in the celebrations with great devotion. The priests sprinkled holy water and colors on them as part of the rituals.
Special prayers like Kalasa Puja were performed at Uttardwaram before Mithylaya Stadium. This marked the beginning of the process of preparing talambralu, which is sacred rice used in wedding rituals.
A large number of women, including the wives of rithviks (priests), helped in preparing talambralu at the entrance of Mithila Stadium. The rice was mixed with turmeric, kumkum, ghee, bukka, gulal, athar, and other aromatic substances.
Temple Executive Officer L Rama Devi informed that around 300 quintals of rice would be used for making Akshintalu (talambralu) this year. On Friday alone, about 25 quintals were prepared, and the process would be completed by the end of March.
She also announced that the wedding of Lord Rama and Sita will take place on April 6, followed by the Coronation ceremony the next day.
Meanwhile, the idols of the temple deities were installed at the stadium in front of Kalyana Mandapam. This was accompanied by devotional singing of Keerthanas (songs) by temple singers, honoring Ramadasu and Tumu Laxmi Narasimha Dasu. Priests performed Kumbhaharathulu (offering of sacred lamps) to the deities.
The Dolotsavam ritual was then conducted, where Lord Rama was adorned as a bridegroom. Later, the temple priests organized Tiruveedhiseva, a traditional procession.
In the evening, Sri Laxmi pujas were performed at the temple, with many women devotees participating in the rituals.
