ANANTAPUR: I&PR minister Kalava Srinivasulu celebrated the successful yield for Varunayagam at Rayadurgam in the district on Monday. A programme was organised at Rayadurgam Jambukeswara Swamy temple to express gratitude towards Rain god for helping the severe drought-hit district come out of its troubles through heavy rains during the present season.

Mr Kalava Srinivasulu had performed Mega Varunayagam two months back at Rayadurgam in the district to appease rain god for drought-hit region. The mega programme was almost similar to yagam performed by Telangana chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao. However, Anantapur district had witnessed heavy down pour during the present season with the highest rainfall recorded after 80 years. The Pennar, Chitravathi and Hagari rivers were flowing after many years.

The minister offered poojas and jalabhishekam programme at Jambukeswara Swamy temple in Rayadurgam fort area after getting water from various tanks and nearby rivers for the purpose. Jalabhishekam was held for the deity. A big number of devotees, officials and leaders participated in the event. Mr Srinivasulu recalled that the mega varunayagam yielded successful results as the district received heavy rainfall during the present season.

"We performed poojas and abhishekam to express our devotion and thankfulness to the god", he said. Anantapur ZP chairman G. Nagaraju and DRDA project director K. Rama Rao and several others participated.