Nellore, September 28, 2013: A large number of devotees from different parts of the State turned up for the ‘Poleramma Jatara’ (temple fair of village deity), organised at Venkatagiri town in Nellore district here on Friday.

The people took part in the procession and had darshan of the idol of the goddess made of sand in keeping with the local custom. They broke pumpkins and coconuts marking the fulfilment of their vows and devotion towards the ‘grama devatha’ (village goddess).

The police made elaborate bandobast arrangements and an appeal was also made for abstaining from animal sacrifice during the festival.

Artistes steal the show

The artists appeared in the forms of ‘Goddess Kali’, ‘Lord Narasimha’, ‘Anjaneya Swami’ and also demons in the procession. The dance of ‘Kali’ in the midst of the devotees drew wide attention.

With the police and anti-slaughter activists placing a strict vigil, open sacrifices were being prevented to a large extent.

However, some local devotees and leaders were said to have made arrangements for sacrificing buffaloes secretly. Such instances took place in the past regardless of awareness created against the superstitious practice.

Source: The Hindu, September 28, 2013