Thousands witnessed the Sri Sitarama Kalyanam ritual which was performed at various temples in the city on Sunday.
The Kalyanam was performed in the morning, and ‘abhishekams’ and ‘homam’ were performed till the evening at Sri Sitaramachandra Swamy Devasthanam at Ambika Bagh. The Rama Navami celebrations, which is being organised from April 11, will conclude on April 16.
Visakhapatnam South MLA Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar participated in the programme in the presence of temple Executive Officer Pushpanatham and trust board chairman J. Prasad.
At Sri Satya Sai Mandir, pomp and gaiety marked the wedding of Lord Rama and goddess Sita which was organised by Sri Sathya Sai Prema Sadan Mandir at MVP Colony.
A good number of devotees participated in the rituals performed amid Vedic chants and tunes played by nadaswaram vidwans.
Prof. K. Malayavasini narrated the significance of the ritual. Panakam and prasadam were distributed among the devotees.
Later in the evening, the idols of Sita, Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman were taken in a grand procession.
Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation State president S.G. Chalam, Chandana Chalam, V.R. Nageswara Rao and P.R.S.N. Naidu, Seva Samithi members and students participated in the programme.
At ISKCON temple at Sagar Nagar, the Kalyanam was performed at the temple with devotees participating in ‘bhajans’ and ‘kirtans’. The celebrations were followed by ‘pushpanjali’ and distribution of ‘prasadam.’
Discourse on ‘Ramleela’
Nitai Sevini Mathaji delivered a discourse on the ‘Ramleela’ in the evening.
Hare Krishna Movement performed Rama Taraka Yagna at Waltair Club.
The devotees chanted 108 names of Lord Rama. Niskinchana Bhakthadasa delivered a lecture on the occasion.