From Kolatam to Garadi, Godavari Districts Abuzz With Festive Fun
Godavari districts boost traditional arts, local trade, and livelihoods, with thousands attending Goddess celebrations across villages.
Kakinada: The Godavari districts are buzzing with a number of Jatharas and Theerthams going on and planned for this summer. In reverence of the village Goddesses and Theerthams, traditional arts like 'Kolatam', 'Garadi' (juggling play), puppet shows, orchestra, and Theen Mar bands are getting a much needed boost. This also gives a livelihood to artists.
Tagging along with the troupes, hundreds of small traders are moving from village to village with their stocks. Turnover in crores of rupees is expected.
According to the traders, the summer's earnings are essential as business is down during the monsoon season. Some said that the income after Ugadi would be enough to last the whole year.
These annual festivities are celebrated both at day and night.
A month to 15 days before, a village goddess Theertham is celebrated 'Garaga Nruthyalu' (Garaga dances) are performed to get the blessings of the Goddess. On these days, relatives from far reach the village and offer prayers to the Goddesses.
"Many of the traders come to these occasions to sell their products and it is my aim to provide food to them," said Boddu Prabhakara Rao of Kanavaram village in Rajanagaram mandal of East Godavari district.
Goddess Dorlamma Theertham is celebrated for five days, from Tuesday (April 15) this year. Prabhakara Rao has offered clothes and food to nearly 150 traders on the occasion for the past 20 years.
He said that due to the blessings of Goddess Dorlamma, he is able to provide it.
Thousands of people from surrounding villages are visiting the village and taking a darshan of Goddess Dorlamma.
The famous Nookalamma festival at Kandrakota in Jaggampeta mandal began on Ugadi day and it will continue for another 15 days. On Monday, Poleramma-Venkamma-Mahankalamma-Pothuraju Theertham was held at Undi in West Godavari district.
Mutyalamma Theertham will be held at Elakolanu village in Rangampeta mandal; Somalamma festival in Chakradwarabandham in Rajanagaram mandal was celebrated recently.
Village Goddess festival will be held at Pallakadiyam on April 16 in Rajanagaram mandal in Kakinada district, such festivals will be held at Penumalla, Kondukuduru (Ankamma Jathara) in Konaseema district as well.