VIZIANAGARAM: Scores of devotees from the entire state and neighbouring Telangana, Odisha and Chhattisgarh thronged the Pydathalli temple as the Sirimanu Utsavam began on a grand note in Vizianagaram on Tuesday. As the customs have it, the festival is celebrated on the first Tuesday after Dasara. Devotees in large numbers started queuing up at the Chadargudi, considered as the in-laws’ house of the presiding deity to have a darshan since the early morning.
The tamarind tree for the Sirimanu was identified at Reddikapeta in Denkada mandal and around 30 carpenters chiselled out the shaft for the 55-feet Sirimanu which was brought to the house of the temple priest, Bantupalli Venkata Rao at Hukumpeta on September 16. After the special ritual, it was brought to the temple at 1.45pm on Tuesday. Already the Tolellu ritual was performed on Monday as part of which paddy seeds were distributed to farmers as the belief has it that it ensures a good yield.
The hereditary trustee and Union Civil Aviation Minister P Ashok Gajapathi Raju offered silk vastram to the deity, who was said to be the daughter of the Pusapati kings. The deity who is worshipped at the Vanam temple, considered as Her maternal house, was brought to the Chadragudi, prior to the Sirimanu procession. At around 3.30 pm, the procession began as the temple priest rode the 55-feet Sirimanu before it was erected above the ground through a shaft attached to a chariot. Hanging from the Sirimanu, the priest blessed the devotees as the procession covered the thoroughfares connecting Vizianagaram Fort and Pydathalli temple.
The procession was led by a chariot in the shape of an elephant (Tella Yenugu) symbolising the Maharajas of yesteryears coming to take part in the festival riding a white elephant. The Anjali Ratham ferrying five married women was also the part of the procession and the beautiful Paladhara, an umbrella made up of fishing net and adorned with various fruits.
Women carrying pots filled up with holy turmeric water took part in the event.
The authorities made elaborate arrangements for the festival. More than 2,000 cops were deployed to regulate the crowd, while 80 CCTVs were installed and drones were engaged as part of the security arrangement. As many as 40 drinking water points were set up and food packets were distributed among the devotees.
Myths & Legends
Some say that the Ammavaru is the sister of Maharanis of Vizianagaram. But there is evidence that Pydithalli belonged to Vizianagaram dynasty. Even though there are no proofs regarding the birth and other details of Pydimamba, as per the saying, after completion of Bobbili Battle, the idol was found on the west side of Pedda Charuvu of Vizianagaram on the next Tuesday after Vijayadasami. The deity was called as Pyidimamaba, the village goddess of Vizianagaram. It was in 1750 when French leader Bussy was staying with entire battalion near Hyderabad.
Many soldiers died due to a disease. Vijyaramaraju of Vizianagaram helped him to overcome financial woes and rebuilt his battalion. With differences cropping up between Bobbili Maharajas and Vizianagaram Rajas, the Bobbili Battle started in January 1757. During the battle entire Bobbili Fort got destroyed. Pydimamba advised brother Vijayaramaraju to stop the battle, but in vain. Pydimamba was also suffering from Masuchi. Knowing that Vijayaramaraju died in the battle, she fell unconscious. A few days after her death, a statue was found in the Pedda Cheruvu.