PNS|Vijayawada
Following Maha Shivaratri, the traditional Rathotsavam was organised on a grand note at the canal road in Vijayawada on Sunday. Thousands of devotees tugged the chariot that carried the processional deities of Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy, Sri Bhramaramba Malleswara Swamy and Vasanta Mallikarjuna Swamy.
A big number of devotees thronged the canal road to see the Rathotsavam. With this, the canal road in Vijayawada remained jam-packed and they made a beeline to witness the annual Rathotsavam, the celestial chariot procession of Sri Malleswara Swamy and his consort Kanaka Durga.
The celebration was conducted by the management committee of Sri Kanyaka Parameswari Anna Satram at One Town, as part of the Maha Sivaratri celebrations. NTR Vijayawada Police Commissioner Kanti Rana Tata, Vijayawada West MLA and former minister Vellampalli Srinivasa Rao, along with Satram committee president Batchu Venkata Prasad, secretary Bayyana Rajesh and others kick started the procession by breaking the coconuts.
Devotees picked up the massive ropes of the chariot, which they pulled up to Vinayaka temple amid the loud chants of ‘Om Namahsivaya’. Cultural troupes performed traditional Kolatam, Puli Veshalu and Lambada dances; music bands also enthralled the huge crowd that turned up for the event. Tight security arrangements were made to ensure the smooth conduct of the festivities.
The procession moved at a snail’s pace with the women waiting on the roadside with their offerings and to have a close glimpse of the processional deities. Priests on the occasion chanted Vedic hymns and performed various rituals.
