All set for Polamamba Jatara

Vizianagaram: The district administration is gearing up to organise massive tribal festival Polamamba Jatara in Salur Agency on January 25, 26 and 27. Around three lakh people from various areas of north Andhra, including Odisha, Chattishgarh, Jharkhand, will participate in the festival.

Legend has it that 300 years ago Sambarasura, a demon, used to torture the locals and even killed the cattle of the farmers. Later, locals offered prayers to Goddess to save them from demon. Therefore, Goddess has fought with the demon and killed him. Hence, the village is named as Sambara and since then prayers are being offered to Goddess as Polamamba.

People of this area believe that after killing Sambararusa, Goddess turned herself into a Neem tree and blessing the public. The temple authorities used to perform special poojas for three weeks earlier, but now the special poojas are extended for 10 weeks. People believe that Polamamba will bless them with health and wealth.

The endowment department is organising the festival in a grand manner every year with the support of local leaders and village elders.

As usual this year also the temple management has decided to conduct Tolellu on January 25 and Sirimanu festival on January 26 and Anupu festival on January27. Around three lakh people will participate in Sirimanu Utsav and will offer special prayers to Goddess.

K Nagarjuna, executive officer of Sambara Polamamba temple, said: “Goddess is very powerful. We are making elaborate arrangements for the festival”.