Vontimitta transforms into Ayodhya for ‘Sita Rama Kalyanam’

Vontimitta transformed into Ayodhya, the capital of ancient Koshala kingdom, for ‘Sita Rama Kalyanam’, the divine wedding ceremony performed at Sri Kodandarama temple on Wednesday.

The horticulture department of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) gave a facelift to the venue and decorated the ‘Kalyana Vedika’ (wedding platform) by bringing alive the ancient memories of ‘Treta Yuga’ and retaining the richness of Telugu weddings.

The ‘Dasavataram’ setting and the acrylic painting with scenes from Ramayana became a special attraction at the venue. The venue was decorated with sugarcane, tender coconut flowers, plantain shoots, mango leaves, besides exotic flowers like heliconias, blue orchid, red anthurium, among others.

“Nearly five tonnes of traditional flowers and 50,000 cut flowers were used to decorate the entire temple premises using the services of nearly 100 floral experts and another 100 staff members,” said P. Srinivasulu, Deputy Director of TTD’s horticulture department.

‘Edurukolu’ attracts devotees

Meanwhile, the ‘Edurukolu’ ceremony, as part of the wedding festivities, turned out to be a major attraction.

Essentially a pre-wedding ritual, Edurukolu is a part of the elaborate Telugu wedding ceremony, where the bride’s family extends a traditional and rousing reception to the groom and his family members at the wedding venue. The meeting of the two families, marked by the exchange of garlands, serves as a joyful and ceremonial introduction, often featuring playful banter.

Temple priests Srinivas Swamy and Rajesh Swamy participated on behalf of Goddess Sita and Lord Rama respectively and carried out the ceremony in a colourful manner.