Tirupati: The annual folk festival dedicated to goddess Poleramma in Venkatagiri town of Tirupati district concluded on a grand note on Thursday.
This year's festivities were held for the first time after the event was recognised as a ‘State Festival' by the endowments department. Tens of thousands of devotees from near and far converged on this historic handloom town to partake in the festivities.
Poleramma, affectionately known as Venkatagiri Grama Shakti, holds a special place in the hearts of the local populace. This religious practice traces its roots back to the early 18th century but it experienced a period of dormancy. It was revived in 1919 by the Venkatagiri royal family.
The revival came in the aftermath of a cholera outbreak that claimed hundreds of lives, underlining the goddess's perceived power to protect and heal.
Many devotees, who had migrated to distant places in search of jobs, still maintain their roots in the region. For them, participation in the Poleramma Jatara has become an annual pilgrimage. They seek the goddess’ blessings for good health, prosperity and fortune.
What’s unique about the festival is the role played by the local ‘Kummara' community. Each year, a member of this community is entrusted with the sacred responsibility of crafting the clay idol of the goddess on the night of the third Wednesday after Vinayaka Chavithi.
In the five-day festival, the fourth and fifth days hold paramount importance. During this period, the clay replica of the goddess, meticulously created, is carried in a grand procession from Kummari Street to Jinigilavari Street, symbolising the goddess's journey from her parental home to her in-laws' residence.
As part of this tradition from yore, members of the Venkatagiri dynasty play a vital role by offering silk clothes to the deity.
On Thursday, the Nilupu programme was conducted, allowing devotees to offer their prayers to the goddess until the evening.
A. Nagarotsavam was the highlight of the evening. After this, the idol of Goddess Poleramma was carried through the town in a procession for immersion, marking the conclusion of this year's Poleramma Jatara.
