COVID casts shadow on festivities at Valmikipuram temple

The two-day festival of Srirama Navami has commenced on a low-key affair at the 600-year old Sri Pattabhirama Swamy Temple at Valmikipuram in the district on Wednesday, strictly under the Covid-19 pro

The two-day festival of Srirama Navami has commenced on a low-key affair at the 600-year old Sri Pattabhirama Swamy Temple at Valmikipuram in the district on Wednesday, strictly under the Covid-19 protocols. Under the supervision of the temple priests and officials, the ritual of “Snapana Tirumanjanam” was performed in the morning, followed by procession of the presiding deity on the Mohini vehicle in the evening. Both the festivities were performed at the inner complex of the temple. Though a big gathering of public from Valmikipuram mandal headquarters and the surrounding villages kept visiting the temple from the early hours, they were allowed to worship from outside the temple complex. The popular event of “Seetha Ramula Kalyanam” would be performed inside the temple on Thursday night. Except for the local legislator and officials under the protocol, the general public are strictly barred from taking part in the festivities, the temple priests said.