Swetchavathi fete from April 22

Srikakulam: Arrangements are afoot for the celebrations of village deity Swetchavathi on the Andhra-Odisha borders after nearly 12 years. Heavy settings created by artistes from Odisha and West Bengal will greet the people of Andhra-Odisha borders at the festivities that would take place at Ichchapuram in the district. Heirs to the Surangi kings who ruled Ichchapuram began the programme by bringing the 'Subharata', a wooden pole, from the forests in their native village Odishanuvagada, on Friday. The month-long festivities of the village deity, Swetchavathi, will begin on April 22. The estimated expenditure for the celebrations is Rs 5 cr, which includes the cultural performances of the Odisha and West Bengal artistes. The 'Subharata' hoisting programme was organised on a grand scale, at local Uppalaveedhi. Festival Committee member Sudhir said that the celebration would begin after a month. The tradition of bringing the Subharata from Nuvagada forests was followed even though the kings are not present now. The only queen, Rani Manjaridevi of the Surangi dynasty lives at Bubhaneshwar in Odisha and she got the Subharata transported from the Nuvagada forests and dedicated it to Swetchavathi Ammavaru. It is heard that the committee has decided not to celebrate any auspicious events till the conclusion of the festivities.