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Vizianagaram readies to host Pydithallamma fest

VISAKHAPATNAM: Preparations are on in full swing for Pydithalamma Panduga, one of the largest temple festivals in north-coastal Andhra Pradesh .


The annual fest, also known as Sirimaanu Panduga, draws around four lakh people from different parts of the state and also from neighbouring Odisha.



APSRTC runs hundreds of special buses for the festival, where the chief priest goes round the Pydithalamma temple and Vizianagaram fort atop a 60-foot tall pole (Sirimaanu).

The festival will begin with the Mandala deeksha on September 21 and ends with the Chandi homam on October 30. The Sirimaanu fest, which is one of the main attractions of the Pydithalamma festival, draws the maximum number of devotees, many of whom come to witness the spectacle of the priest sitting on top of the 60-foot pole in regal robes to be taken around the fort.

GDSSR Subhramanyam, executive officer of Pydithalamma temple, said the temple’s budget for this year’s festival is Rs 16 lakh. “We are calling for tenders for the barricading of Sirimaanu event. The proposals will be sent to the endowments commissioner,” he said.

He added that the festival will start with the Mandala deeksha on September 21.

“It will be followed by the Artha Mandala deeksha on Oct 10. Sirimanotsavam, the main event of the fest, will be held on Oct 15, Thaptsavam on Oct 22, Kalasa Jyothi fair on Oct 26 and Uyyala on October 29, followed by the Chandi homam on October 30,” he informed.

The barricades would be erected a few days before the Sirimanotsvam under police supervision.

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