Symbol of Hindu Unity, the ‘Sirimanu Utsav’ a big draw amid tight security.

Devotees in lakhs participate in the Sirimanu Chariot procession on the streets of Vizianagaram on the second day of the Sirimanu Utsav on Tuesday. (Inset) Temple priest participating in the procession.

Great Sirimanu utsavam a big draw touching various  Hindu traditional aspects amid tight security in Vizianagaram. 

Express News Service | Vizianagaram | Oct 19, 2016:: Lakhs of Hindu people soaked in worship of Pydithalli Ammavaru as they witnessed the Sirimanu utsav at Vizianagaram on Tuesday. Sirimanu chariot procession, the unique ritual of this fete, started from the Chaduru (Pydithalli) temple at about 4.30 pm and it made three rounds between temple and the Vizianagaram Fort which is said to be the natal house of the Deity. As per the ancestral custom, the elephant chariot (Anjali radham), fishermen net (bestavari vala) and Pala Dhara preceded the Sirimanu procession.

Thousands of volunteers took part in the service activities of the Deity during the chariot procession. In addition to the 2,150-men strong police force, NCC students did yeoman service in controlling the crowds.

However, the area between the Three Lanterns Junction and the Fort was completely packed with people who came from various parts of the State and neighbouring states.

Devotees who took Pydithalli Deeksha for 41 days chanted mantras during the procession added to the holiness of the fete.

The sacred tree prayed in the Sirimanu festival, this time, was brought from Dwarapudi village. The fishermen community also took active role in the festival as the idol of the Deity was caught in their net from the Pedda Cheruvu (big tank) in the initial phase of the Pydithalli temple inauguration at Vizianagaram, said Dr Hyndava Swapna, the principal of Sanskrit College.

Leaving no scope for any mishaps, tight security was administered with as many as 32 CCTV cameras installed for surveillance and four drone cameras were deployed to intensify the vigil, said D Sankar, the police officer and in-charge of drone cameras.

Shankar informed that the visuals of the CCTV cameras were directly telecasted to the control room set up for the festival, near the temple, where the police officials monitored the whole security.

In adulation for the local Deity, G Prabhakar Rao, a devotee of Srikakulam, said that he visits Vizianagaram for the festival every year, along with his family to get blessings from the Goddess.

The Sirimanu utsavam of Vizianagaram touches every strata of Hindu life concerning humanity, local rituals, spirituality and traditional care of flora and fauna. 

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Courtesy: TNIE.