April 16, 2014: Unmindful of the scorching heat, all eyes looked upwards searching for an eagle. As thousands of devotees waited with bated breath, the Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu, made sorties at 10.30 a.m. The event signalled commencement of the celestial wedding at the 11th century Raghunayaka temple at Chadalavada in Prakasam district on Wednesday, nine days after the Sitarama Kalyana Mahotsavam at Bhadrachalam.

“Sighting the eagle and hearing its squeaking sound are considered auspicious,” said the temple priest Bagavathula Arunacharyulu.