Over 1L witness Sirimanotsavam

Vizianagaram: Over one lakh devotees thronged the Sirimanotsavam of Pydithalli ammavaru, Vizianagaram district, on the concluding day of Tuesday. The devotees prayed the deity to bless them to lead a joyful and prosperous life. As per the belief, Siri manu means tree of wealth. The temple authorities organise this Sirimanu Utsav on Tuesday which comes immediately after Vijayadasami. 

As per schedule, the procession of Sirimanu will starts at 3.30 pm at Chaduru Gudi of Pydithalli and moved slowly towards fort. Chief priest of temple Bantupalli Venkata Rao mounted the Sirimanu (a 40-feet length tree) on a cart and it was pulled by the devotees. An artificial white elephant was also followed the Sirimanu. Venkata Rao, who sits on the Sirimanu, blessed the people on behalf of Goddess. 

The procession is organised three times between the temple and fort. After completion of third round, Venkata Rao came down of Sirimanu and prayed the goddess. The people have offered fruits and clothes to goddess during the procession and prayed for their wealth and health. All the roads are blocked as thousands of people arrived the town to witness the holy event.

Anjali chariot is also one of the attractions in the procession, where five women sit and follow the Sirimanu. As per history, all the five women are the close associates and assistants (Cheli Kattelu) of Pydithalli and they were also given important role in the festival. Local folk arts like Puli Veshalu and Karra Samu were performed during the festival by the local artists.

Hereditary trustee MP P Ashok Gajapathi Raju and other members of royal family, minister RVSK Ranga Rao, Ganta Srinivasa Rao, district collector Harijawaharlal, judicial officers, other VVIPs also attended the programme and got the blessings of goddess. Thousands of women have visited the goddess in the temple with Ghatams on their heads and prayed her. 
  
HUGE DEMAND 
FOR SIRIMANU
There is a huge demand for pieces of Sirimanu as the locals believe that the logs possess the power of goddess and give good health and wealth.  After completion of procession, the logs will be kept at Pydithalli temple for three days and later the devotees will put them in their cash bags and almirahs.  People of Vizianagaram even send the logs to their near and dear ones for their wealth.

CULTURAL PROGRAMMES 
As part of the festival, the temple authorities and voluntary bodies have organised various cultural programmes including Harikatha, Burra Katha and other dance programmes. Apart from these, Puli Veshalu and Karra Samu were the special attractions. 
 
STATE FESTIVAL 
The government has sanctioned Rs 2 crores and announced it as state festival. On Tuesday, in-charge minister Ganta Srinivas Rao, Minister for Mines RVSK Rangarao met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and appealed him to announce it as state event. He agreed their demand and announced it as state festival and sanctioned Rs 2 crores.