Stage set for annual Srigiri Kumbotsavam

Srisailam: The stage is set for the annual Srigiri Kumbotsavam to be witnessed by a large number of devotees, belonging to all communities, who seek the blessings of Ammavaru.
The festivities will take place during Vidhiya and Thadiya after Pournami between Friday and Tuesday. The devotees from adjoining States, particularly Karnataka, are expected to make a beeline to the shrine for witnessing the spectacle. They offer animal sacrifices to the Goddess, which is usually banned by the police. Yet, the practice continues. The police have warned of taking stringent action if its orders are violated.
It is believed that a person who observes rigorous discipline for 40 days prior to Kumbotsavam will be able to offer harathi, accompanied by traditional music, to the Goddess in her true form before the sunset. This devotee will offer kumbam cooked with a bag of rice, along with turmeric, kumkum, coconut, lime and pumpkin. He or she will offer harathi to pacify the Goddess who is said to assume rudrarupam. There is a historic background to the Kumbotsavam. Legend has it that Goddess Parvati took the form of an insect (thummeda) to fly to this shrine (Srigiri). She killed the demon Arunasura, who, blessed by divine power, had been harassing all, including gods, people and all animals. They had worshipped Brahma to provide relief from Arunasura. Brahma, accompanied by Lord Krishna, had approached Shiva for securing a solution to end the harassment. That is when Goddess Parvati came to Srigiri to put an end to the misery of gods, people, and animals.
Following the killing of Arunasura, gods expressed their happiness by offering various types of worship to her, including making offerings. It is believed that only when the devotees make animal sacrifices that they can have darshan of the goddess in her real form (nijarupam).

D Harikishan