SURYAPET: Over five lakh devotees flocked to Sri Lingamanthula Swamy Temple at Durajpally on Monday for the district’s biannual five-day jatara, the second largest in Telangana after the Sammakka-Sarakka Jatara.
Also known as Peddagattu Jatara or Durajpally Jatara, the event reached its peak with the arrival of the divine box, “devara pette,” carrying the Yadava deities Lingamanthula Swamy, Goddess Chowdamma, and others from Kesaram village in the early hours of Monday.
Women devotees performed pradakshinas (processions) around the temple carrying bamboo baskets on their heads, used to hold rice for preparing yellow rice for bonam. Meanwhile, men donned traditional attire, beating drums (bheeris) and performing katora rituals as chants of “Linga… Oo Linga” resonated through the Peddagattu area. Devotees also paraded with sheep and goats destined for sacrifice to Goddess Chowdamma, with over 50,000 animals offered during the day.
Participants hailed from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand. Traditional performances, including snake charming and rope tricks, entertained large crowds gathered at the festival grounds.
Irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy joined the celebrations, beating a bheeri and participating in the temple puja. “The state government is committed to protecting our historical jataras and traditions. The Lingamanthula Swamy Jatara, which began in the 16th century, continues to thrive, showcasing our rich cultural heritage,” he said. He also noted that Rs 5 crore had been allocated for the event’s arrangements.
Security was tight, with police deploying CCTV and drone surveillance to ensure a safe and peaceful gathering.
