Thousands of villagers thronged the temple of goddess Arimanu Gangamma at Chinnampalle village of Yadamarri mandal, 10 km from here, and took part in the jatara. The highlight of the temple is that it is located under the giant banyan and neem trees, believed to be aged over 300 years.
Along with Chinnampalle residents, the jatara also witnessed the participation of people from several villages in the surroundings, and from border hamlets in Tamil Nadu.
Thanksgiving
The villagers celebrate the annual jatara as a gesture of thanksgiving to the goddess. Legend has it that the deity protected them from an evil spirit in the form of a mysterious disease. Taking position on a banyan tree, the deity kept guarding the villages, and finally annihilated the evil spirit.
According to villagers, on the request of the residents, the deity promised them that she would dwell in the banyan tree.
The evil spirit which pleaded for forgiveness was transformed into a neem tree, they said.
The jatara attracts villagers in large numbers, who offer prayers with a number of desires like birth of children, freedom from poverty, marriage-related problems and health concerns.
As per tradition, the processional deity in the form of ‘geriga’ (a vessel-like object) was seated atop a specially arranged throne on a palanquin, going round the streets of the surrounding villages from Tuesday evening, and the event would conclude on Wednesday morning.
Hundreds of women prepared ‘pongalu’ on the temple premises, while devout villagers arranged animal sacrifice rituals. Traditional artisans from neighbouring Tamil Nadu hamlets were engaged for dances.
