Thousands of devotees are expected to participate in Srirama Navami celebrations in Ramateertham and Ramanarayanam temples of Vizianagaram district on Sunday. After two years, devotees are allowed to directly participate in the festival. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, celestial festival was celebrated in 2020 and 2021 without their direct participation.
Till the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the government used to celebrate the festival officially in Bhadrachalam of Khammam district. After the division of the State in 2014, the government selected Ontimitta temple of Kadapa district and Ramateertham of Vizianagaram district for Srirama Navami celebrations with State honours. Ramateertham is 12 km away from Vizianagaram district headquarters.
Vizianagaram Collector A.Suryakumari and Executive Officer D.V.V. Prasada Rao urged the devotees to follow Covid-19 protocol. “Apart from free darshan, we introduced ₹50 ticket special darshan at Ramateertham temple. The devotees who are interested can participate in Kalyanotsavam by taking ₹1,500 ticket,” said Mr. Prasada Rao.
Ramanarayanam Temple, located at 3km away from Vizianagaram city, is geared up for the festival. The temple which was constructed in the form of Lord Rama’s bow depicts entire Ramayanam in the form of pictures. The temple trustee Narayanam Srinivas said that Sitarama Kalyanam would be performed at 5 p.m. on Sunday. TTD-Visakhapatnam temple Chief Priest Gopinambalam Seshacharyulu would perform the celestial wedding. Later, a laser show will be performed in the temple premises, according to Mr. Srinivas.
