Chief Minister’s intervention sought for change in venue

Several Hindu organisations of North Andhra region stepped up pressure on the government for conducting Sri Ramanavami celebrations with State honours at Ramateertham of Vizianagaram district.

The State government has selected Vontimitta Kodandarama temple in Kadapa district for the celebrations after, Bhadrachalam came under the geographical jurisdiction of Telangana State.

According to Hindu organisations, Sri Ramanavami is celebrated during night in Vontimitta owing to local traditions, but it has to be performed in day as Lord Rama belonged to Suryavamsam. They also said Ramateertham was older than Vontimitta temple and it was the right place for official celebrations which bring fortune to the State.

According to them, Ramatheertham has rich history and traditional importance right from Treta yugam. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama visited the place along with Lord Lakshmana and Goddess Sitadevi during his Vanavasam. Pandavas have also stayed at Ramateertham during their Aranyavasam. Hundreds of devotees of North Andhra region visit the temple every day and Sri Ramanavami and Vaikuntha Ekadasi are celebrated in a traditional manner. Ramateertham hills witnessed Jain and Buddhist cultural activities 2000 years ago. One can find sculptures of Jainism and Buddhism, making the hills a tourist spot.

Uttrandhra Sadhu Parishad president Swami Srinivasananda, Viswa Hindu Parishad leaders S. Jagadiswara Rao, R. Narayana Murthy, Suru Chandrasekhar and others staged relay hunger strikes to draw the attention of the State government for the official celebrations in Ramateertham. “We don’t undermine the importance of Vontimitta temple. But it is conducted during night after Abhijit lagnam. It is not correct as per Hindu tradition. Endowments Department should guide Chief Minister in this regard,” said Swami Srinivasananda.