Pilgrims belonging to different religions took part in the ‘Rottela Panduga’ (‘roti’ festival) at the Bara Shahid Dargah here on the second day of the celebrations even as the officials created more facilities in view of the swelling crowds.
The unexpected surge in the number of pilgrims forced the authorities to take precautionary measures by increasing security in and around the dargah premises and also on the banks of the Swarnala Cheruvu.
The devotees had to stand in queue lines for long hours for the darshan at the tombs of the 12 religious martyrs at the dargah. The rush continued throughout the night and day hours.
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As in the past, a large numbers of pilgrims from all religions arrived at the dargah in the past two days, which was being interpreted as the increasing popularity of the ‘Rottela Panduga’ as a festival of religious harmony and devotional fervour. The belief of most of the pilgrims is that the blessings of the 12 martyrs will be showered on all those visiting the dargah and their wishes will be fulfilled if they exchange ‘rotis’ in the adjoining Swarnala Cheruvu waters. Young and old, and men and women were seen religiously taking part in the ‘roti’ festivities.
For the convenience of pilgrims, the festival committee erected name plates near the cool waters indicating that pilgrims making a specific wish for marriage alliance or children’s study could join their like-minded devotees at the specially earmarked name plates for ‘roti’ exchange.
On Saturday night, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister P. Narayana accepted ‘rotis’ from Mayor Abdul Aziz for the success and glory of the construction of the new capital, Amaravati.
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Pilgrims rush goes up manifold on the second day of the ‘Rottela Panduga’