Grand ‘Rathotsavam’ celebrated at Kodandarama temple

‘Rathotsavam’ was performed in a grand manner on the penultimate day of the nine-day annual Brahmotsavams at TTD’s Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple here on Tuesday.

The idols of Kodandarama, Sita and Lakshmana were mounted on the chariot after the mandatory rituals, and the process was set in motion at 8.30 a.m.. As devotees pulled the huge flower-bedecked chariot with ropes, it rolled down the streets encircling the temple.

Chanting ‘Rama Nama,’ the devotees pulled the chariot till it reached its originating place, while many hurled rock salt and pepper onto the chariot, as is the ancient practice.

Women offered ‘Harathi’ at every step, while bhajan troupe members performed folk dance and ‘Kolatam’ in front of the chariot. The final Harathi was performed after the traditional rendering of Tamil verses from ‘Nalayira Divya Prabandham’ and the Vedic chanting (Sathumora), which kept the crowd engaged in front of the chariot.

In the evening, ‘Aswa Vahanam’ was carried out, with the idol of Lord Rama, dressed up as a valorous emperor, was mounted atop a horse-like carrier and paraded in a procession around the temple.

The final event — ‘Chakra Snanam’ — will be performed on March 25 (Wednesday) at Kapila Theertham water pond from 9 a.m..