Vasanthotsavam was held amid spiritual fervour and gaiety at the famous Sri Sitaramachandra Swamy shrine in Bhadrachalam on Sunday signalling the start of the preparations for the ensuing Sri Sitarama Kalyanotsavam to be held on the occasion of Srirama Navami on April 5.
The annual Sri Rama Navami Tiru Kalyana Brahmotsavam festivities will begin on March 29.
Women devotees embarked on preparation of ‘mutyala talambralu’ (mixture of sacred rice with pearls) with ingredients like turmeric, sandalwood and vermilion using traditional grinding tools at Chitrakuta Mandapam on the occasion.
The temple complex echoed with Vedic chants during the elaborate traditional ritual.
The temple in-charge executive officer T. Ramesh Babu supervised the preparation of mutyala talambralu under the aegis of Vedic pundits.

A series of spiritual events, including Dolotsavam, marked the celebration of Vasanthosavam on the occasion of Holi festival at the historic shrine on Sunday.