DIVINE WEDLOCK “SITA RAMA KALYANAM” OBSERVED WITH RELIGIOUS ECSTASY

ALL ROADS LEAD TO VONTIMITTA

FLORAL AND ELECTRICAL DECORATIONS CAPTIVATE DEVOTEES

VONTIMITTA, APRIL 10: All routes in and surrounding YSR Kadapa district assumed a festive look on Monday evening as they lead to Vontimitta with devotees swarming to witness the celestial wedding ceremony of Lord Sri Kodanda Rama with Goddess Sita Devi.

The entire environment reverberated with Jai Sri Rama, Jai Janaki Rama chants by denizens who thronged the premises for the divine wedlock which was performed as per the norms of Pancharathra Agama in a religious manner.

This celestial event took place in the pleasant full moon light in the auspicious Hastanakshatrayukta Lagnam.

SIGNIFICANCE OF SITARAMA KALYANAM:

The marriage of Sri Rama with Sita Devi is considered to be a role model to the entire human race as they stood as the most revered couple leading a pious married life. Starting from Tretayuga till today Sita Rama Kalyanam is being observed as “Divine Wedding Ceremony”.

INTERESTING EPISODES IN WEDLOCK:

The wedlock ceremony included a series of interesting episodes of typical traditional Hindu wedding including Bhagavatha Prarthana, viswaksena Prarthana, Sabha Prarthana, Guruparampara Prarthana, Daiva Prarthana, viswaksena Aradhana, Vsudeva Punyahavachanam, Rakshabandhanam, Yagnopaveethadharana, Vastra Samarpana, Mahasnakalpam, Kanyadanam, Mangalastakam, MangalyaPooja, Mala Parivarthana, Akshataropanamd, Veda vinnapam and Mahaseervadam.

Punahavachanam: This is a sanctifying ritual conducted to cleanse all the articles, premises before the commencement of celestial marriage.

Vishwaksena Aradhana: After Punahavachanam follows Vishwaksena Aradhana. Lord Vishwaksena happens to be Commander-in-Chief of Lord who supervises the ritual. The purified water in the kalasam is sprinkled on all the articles in Homakundam and Mantapam.

Pratisara or Raksha Bandhana: This is yet another main part of the celestial wedding where in the sacred Kankanams (holy threads) are tied to the right hand of the Lord and left hand of Goddess while the ritual performing priests tie it to their right hands only.

Vastra Samarpana: After the Agni Pratistha new set of silk vastrams were offered to deities.

Kanyadanam and Mahasankalpam: In any Hindu Marriage, Kanyadanam and Mahasankalpam occupies prominent place. Here the Gotra Pravaras of Lord Sri Rama and Sita Devi were recited by the archaka swamis. Lord Rama born in the birth star of Punarvasu in vasista Gotram and Sita Devi in birth star of Purvashada in Gowtamasya Gotram were recited.

Mangalya Dharana Mahotsavam: The Divine Wedding Ceremony comes to a grand end with, Mangalya Dharana where the Lord Venkateswara tied the Holy Mangala Sutrams to His beloved Consorts.

ARATI: Finally harati was rendered marking the grand conclusion of the divine wedding.

“PHALA PUSHPA” VEDIKA AND RAMAYANA LIGHTINGS STANDS SPECIAL ATTRACTION

The floral decorations and thematic electrical illuminations made by TTD stood as special attraction. The Phala Pushpa Vedika set by TTD garden department mesmerised the devotees.
On the other hand, the entire premises appeared illuminating with the eye catching themes elected for the occasion which included Sri sita rama kalyanam, Pattabhishekam etc.in a splendid way.

ENDOWMENTS MINISTER OFFERS SILK VASTRAMS

For this celestial wedding ceremony Honourable AP Minister for Endowments Sri Manikyala Rao offered silk vastrams to deities on behalf of state government.

Honourable AP and TS Governor Sri ESL Narasimhan, Deputy CM Sri KE Krishnamurthy, TTD trust board chief Dr Ch Krishnamurthy, TTD mandarins Dr D Sambasiva Rao, JEOs Sri KS Sreenivasa Raju, Sri P Bhaskar were also present.

ISSUED BY TTDs PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, TIRUPATI