People in jam-packed streets in Vizianagaram watch hereditary priest of the Pydithalli Temple Thallapudi Bhaskar Rao seated atop Sirimanu (the trunk of a tree which was cut specially for the Sirimanotsavam festival). Photo: K.R. Deepak
Hereditary priest of the Pydithalli Temple Thallapudi Bhaskar Rao seated atop Sirimanu being taken in a procession in Vizianagaram town. Photo: K.R. Deepak
Hereditary priest of the Pydithalli Temple Thallapudi Bhaskar Rao seated atop Sirimanu (the trunk of a tree which was cut specially for the festival - Sirimanotsavam) in Vizianagaram. Photo: K.R. Deepak
Procession of Sirimanotsavam festival of Pydithalli Temple being taken out on the streets of Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh. Photo: K.R. Deepak
Trustee of the Pydithalli Temple and Union Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju and his wife watch the 'Sirimanotsavam festival' at Vizianagaram. Photo: K.R. Deepak
Thousands of enthusiastic devotees watch Sirimanu as it goes around the streets of Vizianagaram as part of the annual festival held on the first Tuesday after Vijayadasami. Photo: K.R. Deepak
A chariot being taken on the streets of Vizianagaram as part of Sirimanotsavam - the annual festival held on the first Tuesday after Vijayadasami. Photo: K.R. Deepak
Devotees watch hereditary priest of the Pydithalli Temple Thallapudi Bhaskar Rao being lifted with the help of a log as he is seated atop Sirimanu (the trunk of a tree which is cut specially for the festival). Photo: K.R. Deepak
Pydithalli Temple priest Thallapudi Bhaskar Rao seated atop Sirimanu goes round on the streets of Vizianagaram as part of 'Sirimanotsavam festival' on the first Tuesday after Vijayadasami. Photo: K.R. Deepak