Stage set for 5-day Rottela Panduga in Nellore city
Around four lakh devotees from across India and countries, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh are expected to attend the vibrant event.
According to legend, 12 Muslim warriors, dedicated to promoting Hindu-Muslim unity after a pilgrimage to Mecca, were confronted by zealots at Gandavaram village in Kodavaluru mandal and beheaded in the conflict.
It is said even after losing their heads, the warriors rode their horses to the Nellore Tank Bund at Durga Mitta, where they succumbed. Their heads were later found at Gandavaram village. The following day, an Islamic priest received a divine vision instructing him to construct 12 tombs at the site where their bodies fell, giving rise to the Bara Shahid Dargah, revered over the years as a sacred site.
Devotees firmly believe that visiting the Dargah during the annual festival brings blessings from the 12 martyrs, fulfilling their wishes. As a gesture of gratitude, devotees return to the Dargah after their wishes are fulfilled, offering 'Rottelu' (flatbreads) in the holy tank, named after specific wishes such as marriage, education, employment, or prosperity, for others to take and seek similar blessings. The festival follows a structured schedule: July 6 features Sandal Mal, July 7 hosts Gandha Mahotsavam, July 8 celebrates Rottela Pandaga, July 9 marks Tahaleel Fatheha, and July 10 marks the festival's conclusion. To ensure devotee safety, particularly for those taking a holy dip in Swarnala Cheruvu, the administration has deployed 45 expert swimmers and two mechanised boats for round-the-clock vigilance.
Additionally, 132 fire department personnel, three ambulances, and three health centers have been deployed by the medical and health department to handle emergencies. Nellore municipal commissioner Y O Nandan told The Hans India that 5,000 sanitary workers have been deployed to manage waste, alongside 24 drinking water centres, temporary toilets, and dedicated changing rooms for women on the Dargah premises. Superintendent of police G Krishnakanth announced the deployment of 1,600 police personnel across various units, supported by 70 CCTV cameras and two drone cameras to prevent untoward incidents and ensure a secure environment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Bengaluru devotees donate Rs 1 cr, golden Lakshmi pendant to Tirupati temple
A Bengaluru devotee donated Rs 1 crore to the Sri Venkateswara Anna Prasadam Trust and another devotee gave a golden Lakshmi pendant embedded with diamonds and Vyjayanthi stones to Lord Venkateswara on Wednesday, the temple authorities said. Kalyan Raman Krishnamurthy's donation will support the trust's free meals initiative for devotees visiting the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara. The devotee handed over the demand draft to TTD additional executive officer Ch Venkaiah Chowdary at the Additional EO's camp office in Tirumala, a release from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) said. Similarly, KM Srinivasa Murthy offered the 148-gram ornament, valued at around Rs 25 lakh, for adorning the idol of Sri Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy. "Murthy from Bengaluru donated a diamond and Vyjayanthi-studded golden Lakshmi pendant weighing 148 grams worth Rs 25 lakh," the release said. He handed over the ornament to Venkaiah Chowdary at the Ranganayakula Mandapam inside the Srivari temple. TTD is the official custodian of Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, considered the richest Hindu shrine in the world.
Hans India
4 hours ago
- Hans India
A sibling bond that is revered across communities
'Rakhi', or the day on which the customary 'Raksha Bandhan' is observed, was celebrated on the ninth of this month. The festival is observed on the last day of the Hindu lunar calendar month of Shravan (also spelt Sawan), which typically falls in August. This Sanskrit expression, Raksha Bandhan, stands for tying the tie and knot signifying the bond of protection, obligation, or care. The occasion symbolises the significance of brother–sister relationship, which extends even beyond blood relationships. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan because the timing is considered auspicious, carrying deep cultural and religious significance. The day, also known as Shravani Purnima, marks the culmination of the Shravan month, a sacred period in Hinduism. The month is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the culmination of the month with Raksha Bandhan adds to the sanctity of the festival. On this day, the sister typically performs a ceremony where she ties a sacred thread called a 'Rakhi' on her brother's wrist, applies tilak on his forehead, and offers sweets. In return, the brother traditionally gives the sister a gift and pledges to protect her. The ceremony is a celebration of the bond between siblings. In return, brothers give their sisters gifts as a token of love and appreciation. The celebration often includes family gatherings, special meals, and exchange of sweets' While Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in various parts of India, different regions mark the day in different ways. In West Bengal, this day is also called Jhulan Purnima. It is marked by prayers and puja of Krishna and Radha. Sisters tie rakhi to brothers and wish immortality. Political parties, offices, friends, and educational institutions celebrate this day with a new hope for a good relationship. In many regions of north India, it is a common practice to fly kites on the nearby occasions of Janmashtami and Raksha Bandhan. The locals buy kilometres of strong kite string, locally called as gattu dori, along with a multitude of kites. In Odisha, Raksha Bandhan is also called Rakhi Purnima/Gamha Purnima. A sister ties rakhi around her brother's wrist as a mark of love and honour and the brother promises to protect his sister from all difficulties. The name Gamha Purnima refers to the celebration on the same day of the birthday of Lord Balabhadra, considered the god of farming; farmers in Odisha tie rakhis to cattle on this day. The portrayal of the significance of sibling relationships, and highlighting their significance in family dynamics and social structures, has been known from ancient times. The Ramayana, for example, contains descriptions of the strong bond between Lord Rama and his brothers Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shatrughna, which showcase the unwavering love, loyalty, and support among the siblings, exemplifying ideal siblinghood characterised by mutual respect, sacrifice, and a deep sense of familial duty. Likewise, in Mahabharat, the complex, and often conflict – ridden relationships, within the Pandava princes, and their Kaurava counterparts, form the core of the narrative. The five Pandava brothers, Yudhistir, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva, demonstrate a strong bond of brotherhood through collective loyalty, courage, and shared destiny. Hindu mythology also contains the story of the twins, Yami and Yama, the God of death. The act of the sister tying the knot of Rakhi on her brother's wrist, wishing his well-being is believed to be the origin of the Raksha Bandhan festival. Sibling bonds are also valued and recognised as a significant relationship in Christianity. The spirit emphasises respect, kindness, service, and loyalty, mirroring the importance which Christian attach to loving one another and God. The religion also encourages siblings to make time for each other and be there to support them when they are struggling. Instances in the Bible also offer valuable lessons about the importance of familial bonds and the need for forgiveness and reconciliation. On similar lines, Islam also values the bond of love, respect, and mutual support between siblings and encourages them to maintain strong ties, showing compassion, helping each other, and offering advice when needed. While older siblings are expected to be protective towards the younger ones, the latter, in turn, are expected to show respect to them. Islam believes that the spirit fosters the creation of an ambience conducive to a harmonious and fulfilling life. As a result, Muslims and Christians also participate in the Rakhi festival. It is also celebrated with the same degree of enthusiasm, in other countries such as the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, UAE, Nepal, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka. History is replete with examples of sibling loyalty, with siblings supporting each other through thick and thin. The Wright brothers, Wilbur and Orville, for example, exemplified this with their collaborative efforts in aviation. They were incredibly close and shared a vision for flight and, working together, leveraged their complementary skills to develop the first aeroplane. And, to end this piece on a humorous, if not frivolous note, there is this snippet, I heard. The question is which brothers were correct about being able to fly. And the answer? 'The Wright' brothers! (The writer was formerly Chief Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh)
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- The Hindu
Krishna's advice to Arjuna
The main argument of the Bhagavad Gita is often seen as unassailable. Proponents of various Hindu sub-religions interpret it as illuminating their perspectives, partly because the Gita explains Karma yoga, Jnana yoga, and Bhakti yoga as interconnected paths. The Vedas align with this, encouraging devotion and worship to focus the mind on God. Acharya Vedanta Desika captures human fallibility with the analogy of an elephant repeating errors despite guidance, just as people often repeat mistakes. He prays for divine grace, drawing a parallel to Lord Krishna guiding and blessing Arjuna through His grace. Valayappettai Sri Ramachariar emphasised that Lord Krishna's advice to Arjuna centres on the Charama sloka: Sarva Dharman Parityajya (Chapter 18 — Verse 66): 'Completely relinquish all dharmas and seek Me as refuge; I will free you from all sins.' Acharya Ramanuja clarifies that authentic relinquishment means letting go of control, ownership, and attachment to outcomes, not abandoning devotional practices. The core teaching is to dedicate one's actions to God, with the individual acting as His instrument. Any rewards belong to God, not the agent. Krishna assured Arjuna that He would free him from all obstacles incompatible with the path, such as doing what should not be done and neglecting what should be done. When Arjuna doubted whether he could begin Bhakti yoga, the Lord instructed him to renounce all dharmas. Here, dharmas means expiatory duties. The Lord said He is always compassionate to those who depend on Him. We are all born to render service to Him. But our sins prevent us from rendering the same. Moksha will eventually come if sins are removed. Through a mere surrender, a person can derive the blessings of God and attain liberation.
