The three-day Sakambari festival that began on Sunday is a special occasion for transforming the presiding deity goddess Kanaka Durga into Sakambari Devi with fruits, vegetables, green leaves and flowers.
Sri Durga Malleswaraswamivarla Devasthanam management decorated entire premises of the temple with vegetables such as brinjal, cucumber, coccinia (dondakaya), lemons, ridge gourd (beerakaya) and other vegetables. A green canopy was spread on the pathway leading to the sanctum sanctorum, giving an entirely new appearance to the temple premises.
The idol of goddess was also decorated with vegetables. The priests beautified the idol with vegetables like ridge gourd (beerakaya), coccinia (dondakaya), brinjals, lemons, and carrot. And, not to forget, a garland festooned with green chillies is also a part of many vegetable garlands used on the occasion.
“As there is a mention of Sakambari Devi in Durga Saptasathi and Devi Bhagavatham, it can be organised here,” said Sivaprasada Sarma, temple sthanacharya.
According to a legend, the goddess defeated Dhuroorudu, a demon responsible for famine. The goddess shed tears on seeing the travails of people, which led to a glut of food grains and vegetables. Since then, devotees have been decorating Her with vegetables, he said.
‘Sakambari Utsavam’ is being celebrated from 2007 to propitiate the deity for good rains, bountiful harvest and copious yields of vegetables. The devotees and traders are donating vegetables and fruits in good quantities. The devotees from several places in the State thronged the temple to offer many kinds of vegetables, including carrot, lady finger, cabbage and tomatoes. Many varieties of fruits and flowers were also used as ornaments to deck up the deity.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the festival.
