Of virtual worship and e-offerings

Live streaming of Shivaratri CELEBRATIONS with drones

Vemulawada (Rajanna-Sircilla): Too busy to connect with God? Everything is getting easier these days. The Almighty is also just a click away. The virtual experience of deities where you can worship for your inner peace and loved ones is what Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy temple is ready to dish out this year and the occasion is the three-day carnival of Maha Shivaratri scheduled to begin on Monday.

Even as the district administration is racing against time to ensure a hassle free darshan of the Lord to the devotees, the techies running the digital platform - Web and Mobile App – got its act right for those not visiting the shrine taking its services to a new level.

Albeit the App - Vemulawada Maha Shivaratri Utsavalu - has come into existence last year with the special interest shown by District Collector Krishna Bhaskar, this time around the authorities adopted advanced digital trend that could provide virtual experience of the fiesta.   

What is in store for the devotees is live video streaming of three-day Shivaratri jatara, one of the most auspicious events of the temple which is also known as Dakshin Kasi (Southern Banaras of India). For live streaming, four cameras – one each at sanctum sanctorum, Dharma Gundam, Bheemeshwara and Baddi Pochamma temples – will be used, beside capturing visuals with two drone cameras.

Adding more to the Web and Mobile App was 360 degree viewing of temple. The geo-tagged pilgrimage and heritage spots in and around the temple town that could provide comprehensive information have been incorporated in the app in addition to the public utility places and points of amenities.

The cloud-based virtual radio for live announcements is also introduced in the app for those devotees on the temple premises. Speaking to The Hans India, District Collector Krishna Bhaskar said: “The devotees henceforth can make monetary offerings to Rajanna temple through e-Hundi.”

Stating that arrangements were in place for the jatara, the temple executive officer Dusa Rajeshwar said: “In addition to elaborate arrangements for the comfort of the pilgrims, the district administration has launched a toll-free number 1800 425 2037 to answer the queries of the devotees.” With just 269 choultries available for the pilgrims, the authorities erected pandals admeasuring 1 lakh square feet for temporary accommodation.

By Adepu Mahender