Srikakulam, Jan 25: The historic Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple in Arasavalli became a focal point of spiritual fervor today as hundreds of thousands of devotees gathered to celebrate Ratha Saptami, the birth anniversary of the Sun God.
The festivities, which are now being celebrated as a State Festival in Andhra Pradesh, commenced in the early hours of Sunday, marking the transition into the spring season and the “Surya Jayanti.”
Sacred Rituals and Timelines
The spiritual journey for devotees began well before dawn. The temple administration and Vedic scholars adhered to a strict schedule of rituals to honor Lord Aditya
- Saptami Tithi Initiation: The auspicious period began at 12:39 AM, with the temple doors opening shortly after for the preliminary ceremonies.
- Ksheerabhishekam (Milk Abhishekam): At approximately 2:00 AM, a grand Ksheerabhishekam was performed for the presiding deity. This was followed by specialized Vedic chants, including the Aruna Namakam and Chamakam.
- Arunodaya Snanam: Thousands of pilgrims took the traditional holy dip in the Indra Pushkarini (temple tank) between 5:26 AM and 7:13 AM. Holding Arka (Jilledu) leaves on their heads, devotees sought the Sun God’s blessings for health and longevity—a ritual known as Arogya Saptami.
- Nijarupa Darshan: On this day alone, the deity is visible in his “Nijarupa” (original form) without the usual coverings. This rare sight drew massive queues, with some devotees waiting since Saturday evening.
New Attractions and Modern Arrangements
This year’s celebrations stood out due to several first-time initiatives by the Srikakulam District Administration:
- Sky-High Views: For the first time, the government introduced helicopter rides and hot air balloons, allowing pilgrims to view the temple and the colorful Shobhayatra from above.
- Mega Surya Namaskar: On the eve of the festival, a massive event featuring 5,000 participants performing Surya Namaskars was held on the 80-feet road, setting a spiritual tone for the main event.
- Grand Shobhayatra: A vibrant procession featuring 55 folk and traditional art forms and miniature replicas of major AP temples (like Simhachalam and Tirumala) paraded through the city.
Governance and Security
Anticipating a crowd of over 2.6 lakh people, District Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar and the Endowment Department implemented robust measures:
- Digital Monitoring: Over 250 CCTV cameras were deployed for real-time crowd management.
- Reduced Wait Times: Six special queue lines were arranged, reducing the average darshan time to approximately 30–45 minutes.
- Silk Robes Offering: Following state tradition, official representatives presented Pattu Vasthrams (sacred silk robes) to the deity on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh government.
The Arasavalli temple, built in the 7th century, remains one of the few places in India where the Sun God is worshipped daily. As the sun rays continue to grace the temple throughout the day, the atmosphere in Srikakulam remains charged with the sounds of the Aditya Hrudayam and Surya Ashtakam.
