Perhaps for the first time in the history of famous pilgrim centre of Bhadrachalam, the Sita Rama Kalyanam scheduled be held on April 2 on the auspicious muhurtham of Sri Rama Navami is going to be without any pilgrims, thanks to Coronavirus threat.
Every year, lakhs of devotees from across the country throng Bhadrachalam or Bhadradri on the occasion of Sri Rama Navami to witness the celestial wedding of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita at the open grounds in front of the temple on the banks of Godavari river.
The tickets for attending the Sita Rama Kalyanam are sold well in advance in a big way. However, this year, the state government has announced that no pilgrims would be allowed to witness the Kalyanam this year, as the Centre has banned large scale congregations of people at one place because of Coronavirus.
State minister for transport from Khammam Puvvada Ajay told reporters that the state government had banned entry of devotees to Bhadradri on Sri Rama Navami.
“We are not allowing any devotee to the temple on that day and so, they should postpone all their plans,” he said.
He said the temple authorities have been instructed to stop all ticket sales for Kalyanam this year.
“Those who have already booked their tickets online will get a refund of their money,” the minister said.
Ajay announced that only temple priests would perform the Sita Rama Kalyanam in a traditional manner in a low-key manner. The task of supervising the Kalyanam has been entrusted to state government advisor S Ramanachary.
“A decision on who would present the traditional silk clothes and pearls to the deity on behalf of the state government would be decided shortly,” the minister said.