Pydithalli jatara from today

Srikakulam: All arrangements are set for the Ponduru Pydithalli Ammavaru jatara, which will begin on Sunday at Ponduru village in Srikakulam district. Thousands from within the State also from other States like Odisha, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh, would throng the three-day jatara. The devotees will pay obeisance to Goddess Pydithalli and give their offerings to fulfil their vows. Legend has it that Chippada Appanna and his four siblings, a nomadic tribe, eked out their living by rearing sheep and goats. According to history, they used to move from village to village with their families. Therefore, they started on bullock carts from Anakapalli in Visakhapatnam district. They experienced miracles while travelling; it is learnt that one day one of the axles of the wheels of their bullock carts got loosened, and while searching for a stone in order to tighten it, they found one in the shape of a Shivalingam. Surprisingly, they repeatedly fond the stone in a Shivalingam form whenever they searched for a stone to tighten the axle of the wheels throughout their journey despite they throwing away the stones repeatedly after using them. Finally, they made a halt at Pydikonda near Ponduru. Surprisingly, they found that stone under a tree at Masidikavanam area in Ponduru village. Therefore, the siblings went to the village and told about the miracle to the villages. So, the village elders and villagers went to the area and considering it as a miracle of Goddess, they started offering pujas to the stone as Pydithalli as 'She' appeared near Pydikonda of Ponduru. Since them, the Ammavaru was being worshipped by the people.