Andhra Pradesh: Celebrations honoring Palnadu Warriors commence in Karampudi

The five-day Palnati Veeraradhna Utsavalu is the oldest celebration in the region, which has continued for centuries. This time, it started on Saturday, drew huge crowds on Sunday and is set to conclude on December 4.

The Utsavalu started with Rachagavu and Rayabaram on the second day, in which Narasaraopet MP Lavu Srikrishna Devarayalu and Macharla MLA Julakanti Brahma Reddy participated. A highlight was the bulls’ weight-pulling competition.

The Mandaporu (chapakoodu) programme will be held on Monday, the Kodiporu (cockfight) on Tuesday and the Kallipadu on Wednesday. The battle of Palnadu are being re-enacted through plays and dance programmes during the five-day celebrations.

A unique festival, this Utsavalu is the only one of its kind where people worship weapons of warriors including swords, knives, shields, spears, lances, axes etc.

The fight for power between brothers Nalagama Raju and Malideva Raju formed the backdrop for the Palnati Yuddham (war). A cockfight was the ultimate decider of the winning side in the war.

As per history, the Palnati Yuddham (battle of Palnadu) was fought at Karempudi village on the banks of Naguleru stream. Every year, during the celebrations, the ancestors formed a Peetham to remember the martyrs of the Palnati battle. Through generations, they preserved the swords, knives and other weapons used in the Yuddham. These war weapons are worshipped during the five-day celebrations.

According to history, Muslim soldiers Jaffar and Fareed erected the Palnati Veerula Gudi in the war ground at Karampudi. They were also buried in the same ground. Their graves are preserved there.

Story goes that Brahma Naidu used to sit on top of the Kota Buruju (Fort Minar), hold court, and deliver the judgments.

On Sunday, the second day of the Palanati Veeraradhana Utsavam, MP Srikrishna Devarayalu inaugurated the six-section bull-weight pulling, a strength demonstration competition. Also present was Macherla MLA Julakanti Brahmananda Reddy.

Devarayalu said that he was ‘blessed’ and sent to Parliament for the second time in the last elections. His goal, he said, is to fulfill the aspirations of the people and farmers of Palanadu.

Brahmananda Reddy said it was praiseworthy that the 900-century-old Palanati Veeraradhana Utsavalu is organised through generations in a grand manner. “Palnadu is a region that gained fame 900 years ago by promoting communal harmony,” he stated.

The MP and MLA performed special prayers in the temples of Veerla Ankalamma and Chennakesava Swamy and paid tributes to the Palnati Warriors. They promised to initiate steps for development of the historical Karampudi as a major tourism centre.