Bhadrachalam, also known as the “Ayodhya of the South,” is getting ready for a big religious festival called the Sri Rama Navami Thiru Kalyana Brahmotsavams. These celebrations will begin on Sunday at the Ram Kshetra temple. To prepare for the event, the entire town has been decorated beautifully. The areas around the Rama temple and the Kalyana Mandapam are now covered with colorful cloths and bright decorations.
The temple is glowing with special electric lights, and welcome gates have been set up at important spots in the town. On the first day of the festival, which also marks the Ugadi festival (the Telugu New Year), devotees will take part in a neem pooja and enjoy prasad (holy food). A traditional ritual called Panchamritabhishekam will also be performed for the deities Sri Seetha and Ramachandra Swamy.
Later that evening, a new calendar will be released at Mithila Stadium. As the festival continues, different ceremonies will take place each day. On April 2, a ceremonial flag will be written. The next day, April 3, is Garuda Divasam. Agni Pratishtha, a fire ritual, will happen on April 4, followed by Dhwajarohana (flag hoisting) on April 5.
One of the main events, Sri Sitara Mula Thiru Kalyanam (the celestial wedding of Lord Rama and Sita), will take place on April 6. On the same day, the Sri Rama Punarvasu Deeksha will begin in honor of Sri Ram Navami.
The Maha Pattabhisheka, a special coronation ceremony, will be held over two days starting April 7. The festival will wrap up on April 12 with several final rituals, including Chakratirtham (a holy bath), Dwadasa Pradakshinas (12 rounds of the temple), Dwadasa Aradhanas (special prayers), and Sri Pushpa Yagam (flower offerings).
During the Brahmotsavam celebrations, the temple will not hold its usual daily rituals from Sunday until April 12. Government-related ceremonies like Darbar Seva and Pavalimpu Seva will be paused from Saturday until April 21. Instead, special daily processions called Thiruveedhi Seva will be held for devotees.
