The nine-day Sri Lakshmi Narayana Maha Yagnam began on a spiritual note on Monday at Lord Venkateswara temple here.

The yagnam is being organised under the aegis of Sri Teladwara Gadacharya Mangal Peethadhiswar Sri 1008 Sri Madhawacharya Swamiji of Digambara Akhara in Dacor of Kheda district in Gujarat.

Thousands of sadhus and religious personalities thronged the venue – Kalyana vedika on the Papavinasanam road. In all twenty seven homagundams have been set-up on the sprawling venue.

The sanctimonious verses of Hanuman Chalisa will be recited for about five crore times during the nine-day period by pundits in batches, the organisers said.