Sakambari Devi festival begins at Durga temple

The three-day annual Sakambari Devi Utsavalu began at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri on Wednesday.

Temple premises and the sanctum sanctorum were richly decorated with flowers, fruits and vegetables for the occasion. Decorated mandapams with colourful themes were also set up at different places to create a festive atmosphere.

Temple priests performed Vigneswara Pooja, Akhanda Jyothi, Ankurarpana, Vastu Homam and other rituals to mark the commencement of the festival. Speaking to The Hans India, temple executive officer, Ch Narasinga Rao said, the annual festival in Ashada masam of Telugu calendar is celebrated to propitiate the Goddess for bountiful rain and good harvest of food, grains and vegetables.”

Speaking on the arrangements for the devotees, he said, “The temple will remain open from 4 am to 10 pm on the festival days. Special arrangements have been made to meet the devotee rush and ensure hassle-free darshan for all.

A free bus service is being run from Kanaka Durga Nagar to the abode of the Goddess for the convenience of the physical challenged and old people. Special Prasadam made with vegetables will be distributed to all devotees.”

Highlighting the significance of the festival, temple head priest Vishnubhotla Siva Prasad Sarma said, Goddess Sakambari Devi is an incarnation of Goddess Shakti. According to Devi Mahatyam, Goddess Durga appeared as Sakambari Devi after a prolonged dry spell of 100 years in the ancient times.

She brought forth from Herself flowers, fruits, vegetables and herbs to satiate the hunger of people.’’ The festival that commences on ‘Ashada Suddha Trayodasi’ and concludes on purnima is expected to have about 1.5 lakh devotees visiting this year.

Photo caption: Sakambari Devi festivities at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada on Wednesday (Hans Photo Ch Venkata Mastan)