Naidu Vows to Set Up Arya Vaishya Corporation
Many temples across the country are dedicated to Vasavi Mata. A 90-foot idol of the goddess was installed at Penugonda.;
Kakinada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has said a corporation will be set up to promote welfare of the Arya Vaishya community. They will be given financial assistance to graduate from small businesses to big units.
Naidu participated in a function to mark the self-sacrifice of Goddess Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari in the temple at Penugonda in West Godavari district on Friday. Addressing the devotees, he said the function was sponsored by the state.
The Chief Minister offered silk clothes to the goddess on behalf of the government. Later, he laid the foundation for construction of Guru Peetham -- a meditation centre -- at the Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Temple. Naidu took darshan of the goddess.
Naidu said that previously, the Vaisya community members were doing only businesses and mostly engaged in small enterprises. Now, other communities have also entered into the business with huge funds and running malls etc. Arya Vaishyas also should reach such scales and the government would assist them, he said.
The Chief Minister said Penugonda would be developed into a major pilgrimage centre. Describing Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari as Kaliyuga Parvathi, he noted that the temple has a history of 2,600 years.
“Devotees believe that praying to the goddess will bring good results. Vasavi Matha is known for self-respect among women and the goddess is the embodiment of non-violence, self-sacrifice, peace and Dharma. People from all walks of life including Arya Vaishyas worship the Goddess across the country,” Naidu noted.
Narrating the story of the goddess, he said King Visnuvardhan, who ruled Rajamahendravaram, wanted to marry Vasavi Mata and approached her parents. But the people of the community relating to 102 Gotras along with Vasavi refused to perform the marriage with the king. Expressing anger over this, the king started attacks. But Vasavi Mata and 102 Gotra people sacrificed themselves with the intention of not causing violence and maintaining peace. Later, Vasavi Mata appeared in the form of the Goddess Mahishasura Mardhini. Since then, Arya Vaishyas have been worshipping her as goddess,” he said.
Many temples across the country are dedicated to Vasavi Mata. A 90-foot idol of the goddess was installed at Penugonda.
The All India Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari trust board chairman PN Govinda Rao requested the chief minister to change the name of Penugonda as Vasavi Penugonda, as the village is the birthplace of the goddess. Kurnool MP TG Bharat, water resources minister Nimmala Ramanaidu, MLAs Pithani Satyanarayana, Sriram Tatayya, Bolisetty Srinivas, APIIC chairman Manthena Rama Raju,
former MLA Ambika Krishna and others were present.