Heavy rain fails to deter Sirimanu Utsavam
VIZIANAGARAM: Religious fervour marked the 'Sirimanu' Utsav here Tuesday with thousands of devotees from various parts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh visiting the Sri Pydithalli Ammavaru Temple to seek the blessings of the presiding deity.
Though the day was very hot and humid, heavy rain lashed the town in the evening, much to the delight of the devotees. However, they dared the downpour and participated in the festivities with a great zeal.
After the priest Thallapudi Bhaskara Rao got into the chair, which was erected on the top of the 50 feet tall 'Sirimanu' (tree trunk), the procession was taken out from the Three Lanterns Junction to Vizianagaram Fort. After completion of the three rounds, the procession concluded at the temple.
Temple hereditary trustee and Union minister P Ashok Gajapathiraju offered prayers to the goddess in the morning session and completed the traditional rituals.
The district administration, police and endowments officials made elaborate arrangements for the annual fest. Keeping in view the last year's experiences, huge police personnel were deployed in and around the temple. Even as the queue line extended up to 2 km from the temple, the police sent the devotees in only after thorough checking.
Due to the curfew orders, the 'Sirimanu' Utsav was not celebrated in a big way last year and the devotees had expressed their deep dissent about the same. However, this year, the festival was organised in a grand manner. A large number of folk and classical dancers gave performances in the evening.
Minister K Mrunalini, zilla parishad chairperson Shobha Swati Rani, collector MM Naik, former minister B Satyanarayana and other VIPs participated in the festivities and offered special prayers to the Pydithalli Ammavaru.
News Posted: 8 October, 2014
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