Devotees witness Vairamudi festival at Melkote town

Mysore, Mar 18 (UNI) Thousands of devotees witnessed the Vairamudi festival at the temple town of Melkote, about 50 km from here, last night.

Amid chanting of vedic hymns, lord Cheluvaraswamy, fondly called Chellapillai (beloved son), the presiding deity, adorned with Vairamudi (priceless diamond crown) along with his consorts was taken out in a procession at the auspicious hour around the town.

The night-long festival began with the crowning of Vairamudi to lord Cheluvaraswamy, at the main temple before entering into the main streets of the town, which concluded in the early hours of today.

The flower arrangements of the Vairamudi procession had been done in such a way that the images of Vishnu with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi seemed to be floating just above the heads of the thronging devotees.

According to temple sources, a mere darshan or the sight of the lord would relieve devotees from bondage and bring them salvation.

Pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Kerala visit the temple town during the festival conducted on the fourth day of Brahmotsavam.

The Vairamudi crown kept in the Mandya treasury was brought under heavy security and opened in the presence of senior officials at Melkote.

Earlier, the Vairamudi and Ramamudi were taken out in a procession from Mandya. People residing in 86 villages en route to Melkote offered pooja to both the priceless crowns.

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