It was literally a dream come true for the Chenchu tribals living in the forests abutting the hill shrine of Srisailam, the abode of Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple. On the auspicious occasion of Vaikunta Ekadasi, the temple management facilitated sparsha darshan of Lord Mallikarjuna to the Chenchus.
“All these days, we had ‘alankara’ darshan of the presiding deities but this is the first time that we could touch Mallikarjuna Swamy,” G Mallaiah, a Chenchu from Mekalabanda said after having sparsha darshan of Lord Mallikarjuna. Chenchus consider Lord Mallikarjuna as their son-in-law and they were associated with the history of Srisailam for long.
Mr Mallaiah thanked the State government and Srisailam temple trust board for recognising their association with the temple and facilitating them the opportunity to touch their God.
Another Chenchu of Mekalabanda P. Edanna said even today, they offer honey, waist belt and other articles made of forest produce for the Kalyanotsavam of the presiding deities during Sankranti festivities.
On Tuesday (December 30), the Chenchus arrived at the temple with their traditional dances amid beats of drums at the Sri Umaramalingeswara Swamy temple where they were welcomed by Trust Board Chairman Pothugunta Ramesh Naidu and Executive Officer M. Srinivasa Rao. They were taken inside the temple and were provided sparsha darshan of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy and later Goddess Bhramaramba. The trust board chairman and EO later had ‘annaprasadam’ along with the Chenchu devotees.
Mr. Ramesh Naidu recalled that during his visit to Mekalabanda hamlet, soon after taking charge as the Chairman of the Srisailam temple trust board, the locals had urged him to facilitate sparsha darshan of the Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy. The same was discussed in the trust board meeting and it was decided to provide sparsha darshan on one day of the month. “We have started this initiative on the auspicious Vaikunta Ekadasi day,” he said.
Meanwhile, the temple priests offered special prayers at the temple on the occasion of Vaikunta Ekadasi on early hours of Tuesday.
Curated by Aisha Patel
