The nine-day mega festival of Brahmotsavam and Srirama Navami, which is being celebrated as the official festival of Andhra Pradesh for the first time after bifurcation of the state in 2014, has begun today at Votimitta temple. The hitherto little known temple in Kadapa district, situated on Kadapa-Tirupati highway has been adopted by the state government as official shrine for the celebration of Sitarama Kalyanam. TTD, which is administrator of the temple, and the state government have joined hands to celebrate the nine-day festival from today. According to TTD, the mega religious event of annual brahmotsavalu normally commence from Sri Rama Navami.

As a prelude to this festival, the traditional “Seed Sowing Ceremony”-Ankurarpanam has been observed with religious fervour on Thursday evening between 8pm and 10pm.

Meanwhile in Vaikhanasa Agama, Ankurarpanam or Beejavapanam is the most important ritual. Ankurarpanam means Sowing of the Seeds. Navadhanyas were sowed in mud pots in yagashala on thursday evening amidst chanting of vedic hymns by the temple priests. Water and deepa will be offered everyday and the seeds are protected carefully. This is very important as it signifies the completion of the festival without any obstacles.

Dwajarohanam has been performed on Friday morning at 9:32am where the flag carrying the image of Garuda was hoisted on the temple pillar signalling. This is the beginning of the Brahmotsavam. There is a strong belief that Garuda goes to Devalokam for inviting deities including Brahma, Yama, Indra, Agni, Vayudeva, Kubera etc and sages such as Vasistha and Vishwamitra for the mega religious fete. State HRD minister Ganta Srinivas presented the Pattuvastralu to the deities. Deputy speaker Satish Reddy, whip Meda Mallikarjuna Reddy, former minister Sai Pratap were present at the occasion.

As Bhadrachalam, the original venue of celebration of Sri Rama Navami has become part of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh chose this forlorn place as Bhadrachalam’s counterpart.