Fervour marks Shakambari Utsav

Warangal: The Bhadrakali temple was abuzz with devotees on the final day of the 15-day Shakambari utsav on Tuesday. The Goddess Durga who appeared in the form of Shakambari enthralled the devotees. The priests who started rituals with nityahnikam in the small hours adorned the Goddess with vegetables and fruits till 7 am.

According to temple authorities, a total of four tonnes of vegetables and fruits specially imported from Bengaluru and Hyderabad were used in the decoration of Shakamari mata. A huge influx of devotees jostled with each other to have the glimpse of Goddess when the sanctum sanctorum was opened at 8 am.

The temple management led by Assistant commissioner and executive officer of the temple R Sunitha made elaborate arrangements for devotees.Chief priest Bhadrakali Seshu said that devotees worshipping Goddess Shakambari would never be bereft of livelihood.

"Goddess Shakambari is responsible for bountiful harvest and copious yields of vegetables," Seshu said. According to a legend, Goddess, who was moved by the plight of people owing to prolonged famine on earth, tears rolled from her eyes. The profuse shedding out of her countless eyes turned into a river descended on the earth, bringing a huge relief to the mankind.

Warangal East MLA Nannapneni Narender, Warangal Rural district collector M Haritha and NPDCL C&MD Annamaneni Gopal Rao were among other prominent personalities who offered prayers at the shrine.