Revanth Reddy attends the celestial wedding, a first by Telangana Chief Minister in nine years

The temple town of Bhadrachalam, revered as the “Ayodhya of the South,” came alive with religious fervour and divine splendour as thousands of devotees from across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and beyond gathered to witness the celestial wedding (Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam) of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. The grand celebration, held on the auspicious occasion of Sri Rama Navami at the historic Sri Seetharamachandra Swamy temple, was marked by spiritual devotion, vibrant rituals, and cultural richness.

The Mithila Stadium, at the heart of Bhadrachalam, was adorned with floral decorations and echoed with sacred Vedic chants as the divine wedding was performed during the auspicious Abhijit Lagnam at noon. The beautifully decorated processional idols of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita, adorned with radiant jewellery, were brought to the venue in a ceremonial procession, enhancing the sanctity and visual grandeur of the occasion.

In a significant and symbolic gesture, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, accompanied by his wife Geetha Reddy, offered pattu vastrams (silk clothes) and mutyala talambralu (pearl necklaces) to the divine couple on behalf of the state government. This marks the first time in nine years that a Chief Minister of Telangana participated in the Bhadrachalam Kalyanam, underlining the government’s commitment to preserving the spiritual and cultural heritage of the region. 

The Chief Minister and his wife were ceremoniously welcomed by temple priests with Vedic hymns and participated in special rituals at the temple.Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman BR Naidu also offered silk clothes to the deities. Several dignitaries including Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Konda Surekha, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, and Principal Secretary (Endowments) Shailaja Ramaiyer graced the event.

Ahead of the divine wedding, the "Edurukolu Utsavam" – a ceremonial event symbolizing the sacred union of Rama and Sita – was celebrated with fervour on the temple premises, setting a devotional tone for the main event. The Mithila Mandapam, the venue of the celestial marriage, was adorned with intricate decorations and vibrant lighting.

The elaborate arrangements made by the temple administration and district officials ensured a smooth experience for the pilgrims. Over 32,000 personnel were deployed across 24 sectors at the Mithila Stadium, and special bus services by TSRTC facilitated travel for devotees. More than two lakh laddus were prepared for distribution, along with talambralu through 60 dedicated counters. The festivities will conclude with the Pattabhishekam (coronation) of Lord Rama on April 7, which will be attended by Governor Jishnu Dev Varma.