Almost a thousand women of Nandyal district have prepared ‘Thalambralu’ for the ensuing Sita Rama Kalyanotsavam at Vontimitta temple in the neighbouring Kadapa district.
According to the Hindu wedding practices, ‘Thalambralu’ are the sacred rice grains mixed in turmeric that are poured by the bride and the groom on each other’s head after tying the nuptials. The same ritual is followed in the celestial wedding ‘Sita Rama Kalyanotsavam’ at Sri Kodandarama temple in Vontimita, observed as a State festival.
Under the ‘Mana Ooru Mana Gudi Mana Badhyatha’ initiative, the women gathered in groups at their respective towns of Nandyal, Allagadda and Velugodu and commenced dehusking the grains by hand. “Clad in auspicious saffron or yellow saris, the women chanted ‘Sri Rama Jaya Rama’ while de-husking the paddy grains using their hands”, says M.V. Sivakumar Reddy, the organiser of the initiative.
