The Adi Krithika festival has brought devotional fervour all over Chittoor district, particularly in areas bordering Tamil Nadu.
The festival which fell on Monday occurs in the month of Adi (as per the Tamil almanac) and is important in all the temples of Lord Subramanya Swamy, the God of War and the son of Lord Siva.
Over one lakh devotees from various places of Chittoor district left for Tiruttani in Tamil Nadu, 70 km from here, to fulfil their vows, carrying Kavadi (a semicircular wooden log on their shoulders with offerings to the Lord tied at both ends) and trekking the 365 steps of the hillock there. Thousands of devotees were seen going on foot to reach Tiruttani along the Chennai national highway.
The APSRTC plied special buses from Puttur, Srikalahasti, Tirupati and Chittoor to Tiruttani and Palani in Tamil Nadu. In Chittoor district, the temples of Lord Muruga atop the hillocks at Srikalahasti, Pakala and Palamaner were crowded with local devotees, who performed special pujas.
Adi Krithika is celebrated to symbolise the victory of good over evil, when Lord Muruga slew the demon Surapadma. Later, the Lord reposed to a tranquil mood and started showering boons to his devotees.
