Thousands of devotees witness 'Vairamudi'

Mandya, Karnataka, Mar 29 (UNI) Thousands of devotee thronged to the temple town Melkote, 50 km from here, to witness presiding deity Lord Narayanaswamy adorned with 'Vairamudi' (priceless diamond studded crown).

During the night long celebration, the idol of Lord Narayana, also known as Chellapillai, was taken out in a colourful procession after the crowning ceremony was held inside the temple. The procession went around the main thoroughfares of this temple town on the banks of the Cauvery river after a pradakshina (Going round) of the temple prakara (precients).

Earlier the 'Vairamudi', presented to the temple by late Maharaja of Mysore, was brought from the Mandya District Treasury in the presence of Deputy Commissioner Dr J Ravishankar who offered Pooja.

Thousands of devotees from all over the State converged on the famous temple of Melkote, one of the main Vaishnava temple.

Karnataka Ministers H D Revanna, Cheluvarayaswamy and others participated in the festival.

Karnataka State Tourism Department Corporation (KSTDC) had arranged a package tour to facilitate the devotees besides special buses were run by State Transport Corporation.

After performing all traditional rituals and poojas, the 'Vairamudi' has replaced by the another crown called Rajamudi to the deity and the festival would continue for four days.

UNI