Devotees descend on Swarajya Maidan

Thousands participate in Sri Mahalakshmi Yagam, Women offer Koti Kumkumarchana puja Vijayawada:Thousands of devotees descended on the sprawling Swarajya Maidan grounds here on Sunday to witness the Mahalakshmi Yagam being performed by Sri Tridandi Ramachandra Ramanuja Jeeya Swamiji. As the swamiji and his disciples performed the yagam, the devotes joined them chanting Jai Govinda slogan. The ground reverberated with the chanting of the slogans by the devotees. Over 1000 women participated in the Koti Kumkumarchana puja for Goddess Lakshmi Devi. They offered turmeric powder and flowers to the deity. In the Sri Chakra Yagasala, the devotees, 150 young childless couple, performed Putrakameshti Yagam, as the priests recited Vedic hymns. Sri Paripurnanada Swamiji of Kakinada invoked blessings on the devotees during his address. A He sought the blessings of Lord Vishnu and said the recital of the Lord's name clears everyone from all wrongs. He said that the birth in India is a gift caused by the good works done in the previous birth and asserted that the birth would become more meaningful if one does good works and spends time in worship of Lord. Sri Ramanuja Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt, Paripurnananda Swamy of Verpedu Vyasa Peet and Matha Siva Chaitanya and others Seers spoke highlighting the importance of the Sri Mahalakshmi Yagam. Later in the evening, thousands of women participated in the Laksha Deepostavam (one lakh lights) at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium. The Yagam reception committee chairman and industrialist Gokaraju Gangaraju, secretary Balakishan Loya and others were present.