Rain plays spoilsport

Nellore: Rain god played spoilsport in the ongoing ‘Rottela Panduga’ festivities at the world renowned Bara Shaheed Dargah in Nellore.

Incessant rains continued for the second day owing to depression in the Bay of Bengal dampened the spirits of the devotees thronging the dargah to take part in the annual bread festival.

Despite increasing influx each passing year, lack of permanent facilities at the dargah came to the fore yet again with the pilgrims running from pillar to post for shelter owing to heavy rains.

The failure of district administration and the rulers was evident with the temporary arrangements made being washed away in the incessant rains.

The woes of the devotees who braved the heavy rains and arrived in Nellore to take part in the festivities surmounted, thanks to the lacklustre approach of the authorities and the politicos towards creating permanent amenities in and around the dargah.

The reception centres of the civic body, police and a medical camp were seen overflowing with devotees. Less said is better on the situation at Nellore main bus station and the railway station. Every inch of space in both bus station and railway station was packed with Rottela Panduga crowds.

Meanwhile, Nellore recorded 10.2 mm rain fall between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm on Saturday and the downpour has been continuing with brief intervals.