Hyderabad: Seeking divine help to realise his dream of Bangaru Telangana (Golden Telangana), chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) has commenced Chandi Yagam (ritual) in the state.

KCR along with his wife Shobha Rao has commenced the five-day Chaturveda Paraspara Maharudra Sahasra Chandiyagam at his farmhouse in Erravelli village, Siddipet district.

The Chandi Yagam is performed to seek the blessings of Goddess Chandi for bountiful rains and prosperity for farmers. The Chandi Yagam also ensures that all welfare programmes are implemented without any hurdles.

To perform the Chandi Yagam, the services of at least 300 Rithviks (priests) from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra have been employed. To conduct the pooja, 27 homa gundams (sacred fireplaces) in three yagashalas (places where rituals are held) have been set up for the 5-day religious event.

The ritual began on Monday after cow worship called Gopuja was performed by the head of the Visakha Sarada Peetham, Sri Swaroopanandendra Saraswati.

Vedic pandits from the Sringeri Peetham in Karnataka, Madugula Manikya Somayajulu, Narendra Kape, Phani Shanshanka Sharma, and Bhadrakali Venu will perform rituals during the 5-day Chandi Yagam. It will conclude post ‘Purnahuti’ (final rite) on January 25.

Earlier on Sunday, KCR paid a visit to the Yagashalas and inspected the preparations for the yagam. However, reports state that after completion the rituals on January 22, KCR will pay a quick visit to attend the wedding of Union Minister for Environment Dr Harshvardhan’s son. He will return to Erravelli on the same night and will take part in the rituals to be continued on January 23.