Tiruvananthapuram Mayor V.V. Rajesh head-carried the bunches of paddy earheads on July 29 from Putharikkandam to the legendary Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple and devotionally dedicated them before Bhagwan Sree Padmanabhaswamy. It marked the fulfilment of a promise made to devotees.
The Nirapputhari ritual at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple falls on August 3. Accordingly, the earheads were harvested from the Putharikkandam paddy fields at East Fort. The ritual was carried out in the traditional manner in compliance with all prescribed customs and rituals.
Deputy Mayor Asha Nath, Standing Committee Chairperson Karamana Ajit and Councillor Pappanamkod Saji also head-carried the earheads as part of the devotional procession.
Hundreds of people, including BJP workers, lined both sides of the road to witness the sacred procession.
The temple authorities received the City Mayor and his team at the eastern nada (entrance), where the earheads were placed at the Mandapam (holy platform) on the banks of the sacred Padmatheertham pond. They were then taken to the temple, accompanied by the traditional temple band and devotional music.
Earlier, Karamana Jayan, BJP Tiruvananthapuram City president and the Central Government representative in the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Administrative Council, had promised devotees that if the BJP came to power in the Tiruvananthapuram Corporation, the Mayor would head-carry the earheads to the temple for the Nirapputhari ritual.
Mayor V.V. Rajesh has now fulfilled that promise. As Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is the spiritual centre of Tiruvananthapuram city, the Mayor’s devotional gesture has created a spiritual wave among devotees and residents alike.
Mayor V.V. Rajesh has remained accessible to the public, just as he promised. He is seen across the city every day, meeting people, listening to their concerns and ensuring that civic issues are addressed. His constant presence on the ground has made him one of the most recognisable Mayors in Kerala.
