Thousands of devotees witnessed the celestial wedding of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy (Mallanna) with his consorts Medalamma and Kethanamma.

Devotees from all over Telangana districts converged on Komuravelli village to witness the Kalyanam while chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao presented silk vastrams and Mutyala Talambralu to Mallikarjuna Swamy and his consorts for the first time after assuming charge as chief minister.

The temple authorities made elaborate arrangements with the help of the district administration for organising the Kalyanam on a grand scale. Tents were also set up for the benefit of devotees.

“We are happy to see our chief minister KCR  here on this auspicious occasion. This will help develop the temple,” said Ravindar, a devotee from Warangal city. Another devotee, Ch Komaraiah from Karimnagar district, said they conduct Mallanna Bonalu every year at their village.

The chief minister arrived at the venue around 12.30 pm to present the silk robes and Talambralu. He also visited the temple and offered prayers to the presiding deity.

Later speaking at a Kuruma community meeting here, he announced that Mallikarjuna Swamy temple, which does not own land, would be allotted land by the government and they are also planning to construct cottages and villas at the temple for the benefit of the devotees. He also said at least 4 to 5 acres of land would be allotted to the temple close to the Rajiv Rahadari (SH-I).

Before leaving the place, he directed the district collector to identify vacant land in the vicinity of the Komuravelli temple and hand it over to the Mallikarjuna Swamy temple.

Collector G Kishan said a total of 166 acres of government land including hillocks was available in the village adding that five acres of land close to Rajiv Rahadari would also be made available to the temple. Meanwhile, the priests of the Mallikarjuna Swamy temple are going to offer Mallana Deeksha to the devotees, on the lines of Ayyappa Deeksha.