The two-day Sakambari festival began at Datta Peetham at Patamata here on Sunday. The idol of the presiding deity, Sri Marakata Rajeswari, was decorated with vegetables as Sakambari Devi.
A green canopy was spread on the pathway leading to the sanctum sanctorum. Garlands made of cluster beans is an attraction during the festival.
Priests decorated the idol of Sri Marakata Rajeswari with vegetables such as carrot, cucumber, beetroot, mango, cluster beans, green peas (bathani), Carissa carandas (vakkaya) and capsicum. Leafy vegetables like coriander, spinach were also used for decoration.
Garlands made of grean peas and Carissa carandas were an added attraction, as they gave an impression that they were made of green and red stones.
Temple in-charge M. Satyanarayana said the festival was being organised for third time in a row.
Devotees donated nearly 1,000 kg of vegetables. A ‘mukha dwaram’, main entrance, was also set up using vegetables.
The main priest of the temple, Prasaada Sarma, performed ‘Navavaranacharna’ on the occasion.
‘Khadgamala’ and ‘Sri Chakra Pooja’ were some other rituals performed on the occasion. The temple management later distributed the left-over vegetables to devotees.
