Laksha Deepotsavam in Nellore, a huge draw

The ongoing Laksha Deepotsavam celebrations in Nellore, being held as part of the auspicious Kartheeka month, have been drawing large numbers of devotees, particularly women.

The event, organised by the VPR Foundation at the Venkatagiri Rajah’s College grounds, saw the participation of renowned spiritual orator and Andhra Pradesh Government’s cultural advisor Chaganti Koteswara Rao.

Mr. Koteswara Rao, along with MP V. Prabhakar Reddy and Kovur MLA V. Prashanthi Reddy, joined devotees in lighting traditional oil lamps — a customary practice during the holy month symbolising divine illumination.

Drawing a parallel between the light of the lamps and human vision, Mr. Koteswara Rao appreciated the foundation’s recent initiative, VPR Netra, which organises mobile eye camps in villages and distributes spectacles to beneficiaries on the spot.

Earlier in the day, a Rudra Homam was performed, followed by Laksha Kumkumarchana to the Goddess by 108 married couples. In the evening, devotees offered one lakh each of jasmine and Tulasi (holy basil) leaves to the deity Pandarinath, amid chants and devotional fervour.