Warangal, July 10, 2013: The annual Shakambari festival began at the historic Bhadrakali temple here on Tuesday. According to temple trust chairman Bhadrakali Sheshu, the event which commenced with Sahasra Kalasabhishekam at 10 a.m. today would conclude on July 22 on which the temple deity would be decorated with all kinds of vegetables in the form of ‘Shakambari’. The devotees can have darshan of the deity from 8 a.m. onwards. The deity would be decorated in 16 incarnations during the celebrations. He said that inspired by the Shakambari festival at Bhadrakali temple, trustees of other temples such as Vijayawada Kanaka Durga temple, Bramarambhika temple in Srisailam and about four thousand others have also started celebrating the event at their respective temples. The temple Executive Officer K Anjani Devi informed that all arrangements have been made for the visiting devotees. Special care has been taken to provide drinking water, ‘prasadam’ distribution and security. Bhadrakali temple is one of the few temples where ‘Navaratri Chatushtayam’ is being organised. It may be noted that the deity Bhadrakali was venerated by Chalukya and Kakatiya kings.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 10, 2013.