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The Hindu
10-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Sakambari festival celebrated grandly at Srisailam
Sakambari festival was held in a grand manner at the Goddess Bhramaramba temple in Srisailam on the occasion of 'Ashada Pournami', on Thursday. The main deity and processional idol of Goddess Bhramaramba, the deity of Goddess Rajarajeswari, Goddess Annapurna, and the village deity, Goddess Ankalamma, were adorned with various vegetables and offered special prayers. The temple premises was also decorated with vegetables. According to the temple executive officer M. Srinivasa Rao, 3,000 kg of vegetables — nearly 100 ash gourds, more than 2,000 lemons and various varieties of leafy vegetables — were used to decorate the deities and the temple. Vedic priests performed special rituals and pujas seeking blessings of the goddess. Goddess Sakambari, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, is considered as the one providing nourishment and sustenance through fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Hans India
09-07-2025
- Hans India
32-Km long 'Giri Pradakshina' commences in Vizag
Visakhapatnam: The grand annual festival of Lord Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha of Simhachalam Devasthanam 'Giri Pradakshina' commenced in Visakhapatnam on early hours of Wednesday. Devotees arrived at Tholipavancha from 5 am and started their trek by breaking a coconut at the foothill of Simhachalam. Lakhs of devotees believe that circumambulating the 32-km-long trek on the occasion of 'Ashada Pournami' help them overcome struggles in life and invoke the blessings of Lord Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha. According to the muhurtham, the Devasthanam is commencing the Giri Pradakshina at 2 pm by pulling the 'pushparatham' of the presiding deity the Tholipavancha. The pushparatham will be flagged off by the hereditary trustee of the temple, Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju. As per the Devasthanam estimates, five lakh people are expected to participate in the trek and arrangements are made accordingly.
Hans India
09-07-2025
- Hans India
Lakhs of devotees to take part in ‘Giri Pradakshina' today
Visakhapatnam: Devotees believe that circumambulating 'Simhagiri' on the occasion of 'Ashada Pournami' help them overcome obstacles in life and invoke the blessings of Lord Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. Popularly known as 'Giri Pradakshina', this time, the annual Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina mahotsavam is celebrated on July 9 (Wednesday). Speaking about the festival arrangements, executive officer (EO) of the Devasthanam Vendra Trinadha Rao said that elaborate arrangements have been made in view of the devotees leaving from Simhachalam Tholipavancha on Wednesday for their onward trek. At 2 pm, the Pushparatham with the idol of Lord Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy will commence from Tholipavancha at the Simhachalam downhill. The chariot will be flagged off by the hereditary trustee of the temple, Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju. Lakhs of devotees will take part in 'Giri Pradakshina' along with the chariot. The 32-km Giri Pradakshina, which starts from Tholipavancha, passes through Old Adivivaram, Arilova, Mudasarlova, Hanumanthawaka, Visalakshi Nagar, Jodugullapalem, Appughar, MVP colony, Venkojipalem, Isukathota, HB Colony, Seethamadhara, Alluri statue, Balayya Sastri Layout, Port Stadium, Kancharapalem, Madhavadhara, Murali Nagar, NAD Junction, Gopalapatnam bunk, Prahladapuram, Old Goshala junction and returns to Tolipavancha. As part of the festival, the last phase of the sandalwood offering will be held on July 10. About 125-kg of 'Srigandham' was prepared by mixing assorted spices to offer to the presiding deity of Simhachalam. An opportunity will be provided for devotees, who cannot take up the 32-km Giri Pradakshina, to circumambulate the temple. As part of it, devotees will be allowed to circumambulate at the temple from 3 am in the morning. According to chief priest G Srinivasacharyulu, circumambulating the temple 108 times gives equal result to trekking 32-km-long route. For the convenience of the devotees, ramps are being set up at the North gopuram and South gopuram. The EO informed that free transport facilities have been provided to the devotees who complete the temple pradakshina on July 10 to help them travel from uphill to downhill. Special measures are taken for sanitation maintenance along the 'metla margam' and at various places on the uphill. The EO said that chairs and carpets will be facilitated for the devotees to take rest in between at special stalls in 29 places all along the Giri Pradakshina route. Meanwhile, GVMC commissioner Ketan Garg informed that helpline and toll-free numbers have been set up by the corporation for the convenience of devotees participating in the Giri Pradakshina. The Commissioner stated that during the Giri Pradakshina of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at Simhachalam, lakhs of devotees undertake the 32-km-long trek. For their convenience, GVMC has arranged a helpline number 0891-2507225 and a toll-free number 1800-4250-0009 and festival activities will be monitored from the city operation centre. In addition, GVMC made arrangements, such as drinking water, toilets, lighting, and medical camps along the route. The Commissioner appealed to the devotees to make use of these facilities, and in case of any obstacles in arrangements or emergencies, the devotees are asked to contact the toll-free or helpline numbers for prompt assistance. A number of NGOs teamed up to offer services to the devotees trekking along the 32-km-longstretch.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Preparations begin for Shakambari Utsavam at Kanaka Durga temple
Vijayawada: Preparations for the grand three-day Shakambari Utsavam at the historic Kanaka Durga Temple on Indrakeeladri began on a spiritual and vibrant note on Monday. The festival, which will be celebrated from July 8 to 10, is dedicated to Goddess Shakambari, who is revered as the embodiment of nature and nourishment. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The inaugural puja for the elaborate vegetable and fruit decoration was conducted on Monday morning at Maha Mandapam. The event was formally launched by V K Seenanayak, executive officer, Vedic Committee members, Vedic scholars, and over 200 devotee volunteers. The Maha Mandapam was adorned with a wide variety of vegetables, greens, fruits, and floral garlands, transforming the sanctum into a visual celebration of nature's bounty. Speaking on the occasion, EO Seenanayak said, "The Goddess is nature herself. Offering vegetables and fruits symbolises gratitude to the Earth for its abundance. We pray that the land is blessed with timely rains and rich harvests for the prosperity of all." He added that this tradition is carried out every year from Ashada Shuddha Trayodashi to Ashada Pournami with devotion and community participation. In view of the heavy footfall experienced during the Ashadha Saare Samarpana on Sunday, authorities have taken special crowd management measures. Notably, VIP and special darshans will be suspended daily from 10 am to 2 pm during the three-day festival to ensure smooth Lagu darshan (general darshan) for all devotees. Temple staff are on high alert, with added security, queue systems, and sanitation measures in place. Devotees are encouraged to participate in the rituals and offer fruits and vegetables as part of the ongoing festivities.
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Sakambari festival commences at Indrakeeladri
The three-day annual 'Sakambari' festival atop Indrakeeladri, the abode of Goddess Kanaka Durga, began on Monday, with the presiding deity being decorated as 'Sakambari Devi' with fruit, vegetables, green leaves and flowers. As part of the unique tradition associated with Sakambari Devi, the goddess of vegetation and nourishment, the temple premises were adorned with a vibrant display of vegetables, leafy greens, and fruits. The first day of the festival witnessed the offering of nearly 10 tonnes of fresh produce, all of which were contributed by generous donors and devotees. The devotees from across the State thronged the temple to offer a variety of vegetables, including carrots, ladyfingers, cabbage and tomatoes. Many varieties of fruits and flowers were also used as ornaments to deck up the deity. A green canopy was spread on the pathway leading to the sanctum sanctorum from the ghat road, giving an entirely new appearance to the temple premises. Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements have been made for the festival. The festivities began with traditional rituals and floral decorations marking the commencement of the three-day event. The inauguration ceremony was led by executive officer V.K. Seena Naik, Maha Mandapam, while over 200 individuals, including Vedic scholars, members of the Vaidika committee, temple staff, and volunteers, participated in the event. The executive officer highlighted the deep symbolism of the celebration, stating that the goddess represents nature and fertility, and decorating her with natural offerings is a prayer for timely rains and agricultural prosperity. He said that the temple follows this tradition each year from 'Ashada Shuddha Trayodashi' to 'Ashada Pournami', aligning with the agricultural season. He said that darshan for devotees will continue without any change in schedule throughout the festival. The festival will conclude on July 10, with 'Maha Poornahuti' and 'Kalashodvasana'. Temple officials expressed gratitude to all the devotees who contributed to the decorations and invited everyone to experience the spiritual vibrance.
