SEA OF HUMANITY TURNS OUT IN VONTIMITTA FOR SRI SITA RAMA KALYANAM GUV AND AP CM TAKES PART IN THIS FETE

ELABORATE SECURITY AND ANNAPRASADAM ARRANGEMENTS BY TTD

FLORAL AND ELECTRICAL DECORATIONS CAPTIVATE DEVOTEES

VONTIMITTA, APRIL 20, 2016: All routes in and surrounding the district of Kadapa lead to Vontimitta as a sea of humanity turned out to witness the celestial wedding ceremony of Lord Sri Ramachandra with Goddess Sita Devi on Thursday evening.

The entire environment reverberated with Jai Sri Rama, Jai Janaki Rama chants by denizens who thronged the premises for the event.

The hobourable Governor Sri ESL Narasimhan, CM of AP Sri N Chandra babu Naidu and other important protocol VIPs also took part in this fete.

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”.

SHOBHA YATRA PERFOFMED

Shobha Yatra of silk vastrams, mutyala talambralu, akshatalu was performed with religious fervour.

EDURKOLU UTSAVAM PERFORMED:

Earlier in the evening Edurkolu Utsavam performed with celestial grandeur. The Utsava murthies of Lord Sri rama and Goddess Sita were brought on a celestial procession from temple to Vedika and Edurkolu UTSAVAM performed. It is a traditional practice wherein the to be bride and bridegroom are brought face to face and garlands exchanged.

JEWELS FROM TIRUMALA

To match the grandeur of the divine wedding ceremony, jewels including Kireetam, Karnapatralu, Kasulaharam and Mangalyam were brought from
Tirumala.

PROCEDURE:

This ritual was performed in Pradosha Lagnam (a lagnam which is considered to auspicious to every individual irrespective of their birth star, almanac etc.) The ritual started with Devataradhana and Sabha Vandanam.

INTERESTING EPISODES IN WEDLOCK:

The wedlock ceremony included a series of interesting episodes of typical traditional Hindu wedding including Bhagavatha Prarthana, viswaksena Prarthana, Sabha Prarthan, 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.

The Vedika specially designed with 2.5 tonnes of ornamental flowers and fruits enhanced the beauty of wedding platform.

The divine marriage platform was decorated by 50 TTD garden stuffs and floral design experts from Bangalore with African orange, green apple, graces, blue orchids and red anthirium.

ELECTRICAL RAMAYANA THEMES GLORIFY THE PREMISES

On the other hand, the entire premises appeared illuminating with the eye trip themes elected for the occasion which included sivadhanurbhangam, ekasilanagara Sri Kodandarama Swami, Sri sita rama kalyanam, vishwarupa darshanam etc.

ELABORATE SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS

Meanwhile the TTD vigilance , police and Srivari sevakulu provided hi fi security cover to the mega religious event.
Over seven lakh water packets, two lakh butter milk packets were distributed to devotees and Annaprasadam served in 150 counters with help of seva volunteers. Later maryada talambralu and akshatalu were also distributed to devotees after the celestial marriage.

The cultural programmes also attracted the denizens.

VONTIMITTA TO BE DEVELOPED AS PROMINENT PILGRIM CENTRE IN THE COUNTRY-AP CM

The ancient temple of Lord Sri Kodandarama Swami in Vontimitta will be developed as one of the most sought after pilgrim centres in the country soon asserted honourable chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, Sri N Chandra babu Naidu.

The CM who took part in Sri Sita Rama kalyanam at Vontimitta on Thursday evening, addressing the devotees said, the state Government is committed to develop this ancient temple. ” Lord Sri Rama is personification of good qualities and a role model of having ensured good Governance to people. We are all fortunate to have this ancient temple here”, he added.

While congratulating TTD and district administration for successfully organizing the mega religious wedding, the CM reiterated his commitment to develop the temple.

AP CM OFFERS PATTU VASTRAMS.

On behalf of the state Government the honourable chief minister of AP Sri N Chandra babu Naidu offered silk vastrams to the deities during Sri Sita Rama kalyanam at Vontimitta in Kadapa district on Thursday evening.

ISSUED BY THE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, TTD, TIRUPATI