The week-long ayata chandiyagam commenced at the Durga Bhavani Temple at Ismailkhanpet of Medak district on Friday morning, amid the chanting of Veda hymns by priests.
After performing sarvatobhadra and guopooja (prayers to the cow), abhishekam was performed for Goddess Durga.
As many as 550 Vedic pundits participated in the programme from the wee hours of Friday, a practice that will continue in the coming week too.
Vedic pundits chanted the Vedas at the four entry-points of the Yagashala from morning to evening.
Tougta Peetham seer Madhavananda Swami visited the Yagashala and participated in the programme, while Paripoornanda Swami participated in the evening.
A large number of devotees turned up at the temple from morning onwards.
