TTD to organise Srinivasa Kalyanam in Ongole today

Ongole, July 17 (TNN): The Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam (TTD) is making arrangements to enable an estimated 1.5 lakh devotees to witness Srinivasa Kalyanam and ‘Laksha Galarchana’ programme on Guntur Road on July 18. The Magunta Charitable Trust is lending its helping hand to conduct the event.

The TTD have chosen 25 acres of land opposite Papa Rice Mill for the purpose and clearing thorny bushes to convert the vacant land into ‘Vikuntha Pranganam’. Some 5,000 workers are working incessantly on the land.

A 100x200 feet dais is being constructed to seat 2,000 persons, artistes, priests, organisers, VIPs etc. A replica of Ananda Nilayam, the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala, is being created on the dais under the direction of art director Ashok.

The TTD has deputing its priests to perform the kalyanam and TTD Chairman Adikesavulu Naidu will attend the programme.

The ceremonies will start with ‘suprabhatam’ at 5 am on July 18 and the deities will be taken to the venue at 2 pm in a procession.

‘Laksha Galarchana’ will start at 4 pm in which one lakh people would render Annamayya kirtans. Kalyanam will be performed from 6 pm.

Ongole MP Mr Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy said that arrangements were being made to prepare packets with ‘prasadam’ and ‘pasupu kunkuma’ and they would be given to all the participants at the entrance itself. Separate entrances and seating arrangements were provided for women, old and handicapped persons.