|
|
Every year on the first Tuesday passing Vijayadasami Sirimanu Utsav is being celebrated. Sirimanu means a big tree. It is known that before 15 days of Sirimanu Utsav goddess Pydimamba will come in the dream of temple Pujari and tell him where the Sirimanu for this year is located.
An ancient temple of Pydithalli Ammavaru is situated in the town Vizianagaram. Legend has it that one of the daughters of the Pasupati royal family was the reincarnation of the pressing deity, Pydithallamma. The local believe that with the blessings of the Goddess one can lead a happy & prosperous life. The idol of the Goddess was discovered on Vijayadasami day way back in the year 1752. To mark the occasion, an annual jatara is held on October every year which attracts large crowds.
Pujari will go in search of sirimanu and will cut the sirimanu with performing puja etc. That sirimanu can be located any where. The owner must agree to cut his tree for Utsav. That tree will be shaped neatly in to Sirimanu and will be placed over the chariot. This sirimanu will be brought to 3 Lanters junction around 2 PM in the afternoon. At around temple Pujari will make darshan of Goddess and will sit on the Sirimanu chariot.
This sirimanu will move 3 times to Vizianagaram fort and temple between 3 PM to 4 PM. The Vizianagaram rajahs will sit on the top of the fort and watch the Utsav. Pujari will be given new clothes by Rajas and puja is performed. In front of Srimanu there will be a chariot in the shape of White elephant.
|
 |
Importance of White elephant |
Many people does not know about the white elephant moving in front of Sirimanu chariot. But in the olden days Maharajas used to sit on this white elephant and participate in Sirimanu Utsav. Now as per the present situation white elephant statue is being moved in front of Sirimanu as a part of tradition. |
 |
Importance of Anjali Chariot |
Sri Pydimamba died before getting married. So 5 Married women were made sit on the Anjali chariot which is on the front of Sirimanu as a part of tradition. As 5 married women are sitting on this chariot, this is called Anjali chariot. Secondly along with this sirimanu Paladhara, an umbrella made with fishing nets decorated with flowers and fruits is important. |
Importance of Pala Dhara |
As per history when Goddess statue will be found in west side of pedda cheruvu Patiwda Appalanaidu has tried to bring the statue out by calling professional swimmers of Yata Veedhi. They agreed to bring the statue out with out taking money on putting a condition that their people will participate with srimanu utasav with umbrella made of fishing nets. Patiwada Appalanaidu agreed to their condition and made the rajas convinced for allowing them to participate in Sirimanu Utsav.
Exactly before sunset Sirimanu Utsav closes. Not only from northern parts of Andhra Pradesh, many people from Orissa, Madhya pradesh come to see this Utsav.
After completion of Utsav near 3 lanterns junction at Vizianagaram thousands of people will make darshan of sirimanu. Farmers will take a small part of branch and keep it near plough at their house to have a good crop in the coming year. |
Vizianagaram Utsav |
|
The Utsav focuses on the rich and hoary culture of this area in all its facets with a view to infuse a sense of pride in the past and a determination to combine tradition with modernity in the youth of the day. As Pundit Nehru said the present comes out of the past and has in it the roots of the future. Hence one who forgets the past has neither the present nor the future. The main ambition of this Utsav is to recall the good in the past and avow to preserve for posterity and improve it whenever necessary for the future to emulate. |
 |
A series of programmes like Aradhana and Kavita Ghosti at Gurujada House, Games and Sports at Vizzy stadium, Folk Forms at Bankuladiba, Mythological and Social Dramas at Gurujada Kalakshetra, Art Exhibition at TTD Kalyana Mandapam, Photo exhibition at Lions Community Hall, Science exhibition at M.R.Model High School, Music and Dance Concerts at Ananda Gajapathi Auditorium and Flower Show, Industrial exhibition and Musical Performances at "Ayodhya Maidanam" will be conducted during the three day celebrations. |
| |
|
