Rajamahendravaram: Yagam at Ratnagiri shrine from today

Rajamahendravaram: Elaborate arrangements were made for conducting the nine-day 'Chaturveda Havana Sahitha Panchayatana Purvaka Tripadwibhuthi Maha Vaikuntha Narayana Yagam' on the sacred shrine Ratnagiri, the abode of Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy at Annavaram from March 11 to March 19.

So far, the celestial fete was held for four times only and the in the year 2008, the last yagam was held on the Ratnagiri hill.

According to Executive Officer temple executive officer Vendra Trinadh Rao, it was estimated that an amount of Rs 50 lakh will be spent for the yagam. Some people donated cash, gold and yagam material such as flowers, fruits, bronze material, clothes to rutwiks and to the deities for the programme.

To provide an opportunity to common people to participate in the programme, tickets for Rs 5,116 and Rs 1,116 also kept available. Sarada Peetam pontiff Swarupanendra Saraswathi will inaugurate the holy fete and also attends for Purnahuthi on the last day of the programme.

As many as 100 rutwiks participate in the yagam. Plans are afoot to perform the yagam for every five years hereafter. After spending the amount given by donors, the remaining amount will be deposited in the bank and with the interest derived from it the yagam will be performed.