Thousands of devotees turned up at the temple seeking blessings
Devotees visit Kanka Durga temple on last day of Sakambari festival in Vijayawada on Friday. (Inset) Idol of Goddess Kanka Durga made with vegetables. (Photo: DC)
Vijayawada: The three-day-long Sakambari utsavam came to an end on Friday, marking Guru Purnima. On the last day of the utsavam on Friday, AP CM N. Chandrababu Naidu visited the Kanaka Durga temple to seek the blessings of the presiding deity Goddess Kanaka Durga, decorated with fruit, vegetables, green and flowers in Sakambari Devi avatar.
The history of the utsavam dates back to 2007 when, in order to get good rains and copious yields, people began worshipping Goddess Kanaka Durga in Sakambari Devi avatar. The name of Sakambari Devi also finds mention in Durga Saptasathi and Devi Bhagavatam.
Following this, the then temple executive officer Chandra Sekhar Azad decided celebrating all festivals of the Goddess in the temple once the temple's income was more than sufficient. Meanwhile, according to puranas, it is believed that the Goddess defeated Dhuroorudu, a demon responsible for famine. The Goddess, it is believed, shed her tears upon seeing the travails of people, which led to a surplus produce of food grains and vegetables.
“The goddess, in Sakambari avatar, had donated her organs to earth for ensuring food for her devotees during a period of severe drought while the Devatha-Asurula sangramam (war between gods and demons) was taking place on earth.
Hence, the festival was named after her," said the main priest of temple Vishnubotla Siva Prasada Sharma. On the last day of the festival, thousands of devotees turned up at the temple seeking blessings.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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