GODDESS PADMAVATHI BLESSES DEVOTEES ATOP GIANT RATHAM

Tiruchanur, Dec 6:

Radhastitham Maharagnim! Aatma Gnanapradayineem!

Peetavastram Suvarnangim! Padmahastam Sada Bhaje!

Tens of Thousands of devotees participated in the Rathothsavam’ as part of the annual Kartheeka Brahmotsavams at the Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple in Tiruchanur on Friday. They enthusiastically dragged the flower-decked wooden chariot, with the processional deity, Goddess Padmavathi, seated inside it, dressed up in her famous pearl attire and took pleasure ride through the four Mada streets around the Pushkarini (temple tank).

Earlier, between 4AM to 4.30 a.m. the priests performed the sacrificial rituals to the chariot and brought out the deity in a procession to the `Ratha Mandapam,’ the starting point of the chariot-ride and later followed the stupendous religious ceremony of `Ratharohanam,’ where in sea of humanity turned to pull the massive wooden chariot all along the four mada streets chanting Her Divine nama.

As is the age-old practice, devotees hurled rock salt and pepper at the chariot. It is believed that consuming the salt and pepper pieces crushed under the chariot wheels rids one of all illnesses.

TTD Chairman Sri K.Bapi Raju, TTD EO Sri MG Gopal, JEO Sri P Bhaskar, CE Sri Chandrasekhar Reddy, Chief Engineer, Special Grade Dy EO of the temple Sri Bhaskar Reddy and other officials were also present.

ISSUED BY PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, TTDs,TIRUPATI