Date:26/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/26/stories/2007012621310200.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Thousands witness grand `rathotsavam'

Staff Reporter

Three-day 13th annual festival of Sri Peddamma Temple concludes

Devotees pay obeisance amidst chanting of hymns

Mela like atmosphere prevails outside the temple

HOLY RITUAL: The presiding deity at Sri Peddamma Temple being taken out in a chariot procession in Jubilee Hills on Thursday. Photo: K. Gajendran

HYDERABAD: The three-day 13th annual festival of Sri Peddamma Temple, Jubilee Hills, concluded with a grand chariot procession here on Thursday.

It was literally a feast to the eyes for thousands of devotees who queued up for witnessing the idol of presiding deity being taken round the brilliantly lit up and well-decorated temple complex on the auspicious day of Ratha Sapthami. Devotees paid their obeisance amidst chanting of hymns and bursting of firecrackers.

The annual festival is the major event in these parts of the city with devotees coming from outside the city and the State. With the word spreading that the wishes of devotees worshipping goddess Peddamma would come true, the popularity of the temple grew and the turnout of the devotees has been steadily on the rise since 1994.

Special pujas

On Thursday day too prayers began with `Abhishekam' at 3 a.m. followed by `Navagraha Homam,' `Rudra', `Chandi Homam', `Dikpala Bhairava Baliharanam' `Purnahuti' and `Annadanam'.

Founder trustee and MLA P. Janardhana Reddy said that devotees thronged the temple throughout the year and Tuesdays and Fridays were marked by `Annadanam'. "I offered special prayers to Goddess on this auspicious day to bless the people of my constituency, city and State," he said.