Mass Siva deeksha camp for Chenchus held

Atmakur (Kurnool): The Srisaila Mallikarjuna Temple Devasthanam on Tuesday organised a mass Siva deeksha camp for the benefit of Chenchus living in Kurnool and Prakasam districts on the Nallamala forest fringes to wean them away from cultural influences from the overseas and to veer them towards spirituality.

Chenchus living in Bairluti, Nagaluti, Rudrakoduru and Pechcheruvu tribal hamlets took part in the camp.

The temple Devasthanam superintendent Sai Kumari said that the camps were held in the two districts to present them with clothes worn by devotees observing the deeksha and prasadam of the temple deities.

Referring to conversion of Chenchus to other faiths and certain objectionable practices among them, she said the camps will improve their spiritual quotient and keep them away from the evil.

Special pujas to the deities were performed prior to commencing the camp. The Chenchus welcomed the Devasthanam officials with their characteristic style of dancing.

Temple chariot in-charge Venkateswarlu Goud, temple officials Giridhar, Ramprasad and Sivanagaprasad and Sivaji Spoorthi Kendra representative Vasudevareddy and others took part in the programme.