Indrakeeladri decked out in green as Sakambari festival gets off to a colourful start
The main sanctum, Mahamandapam, and sub-shrines are richly adorned in green decorations, signifying the Goddess's compassion and nurturing aspect. The 'utsava murti' (processional idol) is also draped in green as per tradition on Tuesday.
Devotees from across Andhra Pradesh and various parts of India are arriving in large numbers to witness and take part in this unique celebration, which will conclude on July 10.
On the first day alone, approximately 50 tonnes of vegetables were used for temple decoration and preparation of Kadambam, the special prasadam associated with Sakambari Utsavams. The vegetables were voluntarily donated by farmers and patrons from Godavari, Krishna, and Guntur districts.
The tradition of Sakambhari Utsavams was initiated on Indrakeeladri in 2007. To ensure adherence to scriptural norms, the temple priests and Vedic scholars had visited the Bhadrakali temple in Warangal, where similar festivals are performed annually, and replicated the practice at Vijayawada.
Kadambam, a specially prepared prasadam made of vegetables, rice, and red gram, will be distributed free of cost to devotees from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the festival duration, temple Executive Officer V.K. Seenanayak informed. He inspected the Kadambam preparation site in the afternoon and issued key instructions to ensure quality and hygiene.
Since inception, the festival has grown in scale, with local farmers and vendors voluntarily donating vegetables needed for the utsavam, including prasadam preparation. The temple is adorned with vibrant displays of vegetables and leafy greens.
For the residents of Vijayawada, Kadambam prasadam has become synonymous with the Sakambari festivities — its wholesome preparation and devotional significance making it an eagerly awaited tradition.
Temple authorities have ensured smooth arrangements for the devotees, and the EO has urged the public to participate in the festival with devotion and discipline.
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Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Huge demand for Kadambam prasadam at Shakambari festival in Kanaka Durga temple
Vijayawada: The three-day Shakambari festival at the Sri Kanaka Durga temple on Indrakeeladri began on a grand note drawing thousands of devotees. While the temple is beautifully adorned with tonnes of fresh vegetables, it is the Kadambam Prasadam that has become the biggest attraction for devotees visiting the temple. Prepared exclusively during the Shakambari festival, Kadambam Prasadam is a special offering made once a year during Ashada Masam. The dish, which resembles sambar rice, is made from a rich blend of rice, lentils, seasonal vegetables, pumpkin, cashew nuts, and premium cow ghee. Temple priest LD Prasad explained, "Shakambari Ammavaru is fond of vegetables. That is why the temple is decorated with various vegetables, and the prasadam offered is also full of vegetable goodness. Especially, the use of pumpkin and ghee gives it a divine taste." Typically, devotees line up for pulihora and laddu prasadams after darshan, but during this festival, Kadambam takes centre stage, with many devotees queuing exclusively for it. On the first day alone, temple authorities distributed nearly one tonne of Kadambam prasadam. Devotees from across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are thronging the temple, and many are carrying boxes of Kadambam back home as a sacred and delicious memory of the goddess. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo "We came here for the past 10 years. The taste of this prasad cannot be replicated at home, even with the same ingredients," said K. Shruthi, a devotee from Khammam. Temple executive officer Seena Nayak assured that the prasadam is prepared in hygienic conditions and distributed with great care. He added that efforts are being made to provide the prasadam to as many devotees as possible during the three-day festival. "Satisfaction of devotees is our priority. We are taking measures to provide Kadambam prasadam free of cost to devotees," EO Nayak said.
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- The Hindu
Indrakeeladri decked out in green as Sakambari festival gets off to a colourful start
The Sakambari Utsavams commenced with grandeur atop Indrakeeladri, where Goddess Sri Kanaka Durga is venerated in her nourishing form as Sakambari Devi, the granter of food and vegetation. Indrakeeladri has taken on a lush green hue, reflecting the Goddess's 'harita' (verdant) form. The main sanctum, Mahamandapam, and sub-shrines are richly adorned in green decorations, signifying the Goddess's compassion and nurturing aspect. The 'utsava murti' (processional idol) is also draped in green as per tradition on Tuesday. Devotees from across Andhra Pradesh and various parts of India are arriving in large numbers to witness and take part in this unique celebration, which will conclude on July 10. On the first day alone, approximately 50 tonnes of vegetables were used for temple decoration and preparation of Kadambam, the special prasadam associated with Sakambari Utsavams. The vegetables were voluntarily donated by farmers and patrons from Godavari, Krishna, and Guntur districts. The tradition of Sakambhari Utsavams was initiated on Indrakeeladri in 2007. To ensure adherence to scriptural norms, the temple priests and Vedic scholars had visited the Bhadrakali temple in Warangal, where similar festivals are performed annually, and replicated the practice at Vijayawada. Kadambam, a specially prepared prasadam made of vegetables, rice, and red gram, will be distributed free of cost to devotees from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the festival duration, temple Executive Officer V.K. Seenanayak informed. He inspected the Kadambam preparation site in the afternoon and issued key instructions to ensure quality and hygiene. Since inception, the festival has grown in scale, with local farmers and vendors voluntarily donating vegetables needed for the utsavam, including prasadam preparation. The temple is adorned with vibrant displays of vegetables and leafy greens. For the residents of Vijayawada, Kadambam prasadam has become synonymous with the Sakambari festivities — its wholesome preparation and devotional significance making it an eagerly awaited tradition. Temple authorities have ensured smooth arrangements for the devotees, and the EO has urged the public to participate in the festival with devotion and discipline.
The Hindu
13 hours ago
- The Hindu
Guru Purnima celebrations tomorrow at Mustabad swamy temple
The Guru Purnima celebrations will be held on Thursday (July 10) at the Sri Vijaya Durga Sametha Mallikarjuna Swamy and Sri Sadguru Sainath Swamy Temple at Mustabad village of Gannavaram Mandal in Krishna District. Temple trust chairperson G.V.S. Padmavati, along with trustees senior journalist Nimmaraju Chalapathi Rao and M. Durganjaneyulu, said that the festivities would be conducted with traditional devotion and grandeur. As a prelude to the main celebration, a special Sri Chakra Navavarana Archana will be performed on Wednesday evening (July 9) to please Goddess Sri Vijaya Durga, the manifestation of Sri Rajarajeshwari Devi, Ms. Padmavati said. On Guru Purnima day, several Vedic and devotional rituals are scheduled, including, Sri Vigneshwara Puja Ritwik Varuna, Surya Namaskarams, Ekadasa Rudrabhishekam with Maha Nyasa to Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy and Sri Vijaya Durga Devi, Maha Annadanam (Community Feast). Ms. Padmavati invited devotees to participate in large numbers and receive the divine blessings of the deities. The puja and abhishekam rituals will be performed under the guidance of Yajna Brahma Srikaram Murali Sharma and temple priest Itikala Nag Pavan Kumar Sharma.
