Andhra Pradesh

Swings herald the month of Shravan

FUN TIME: Women enjoying themselves on a swing during Nag Panchamai at Gudihatnoor in Adilabad district.

ADILABAD: The several swings seen in many villages in Adilabad district is the result of people, especially the Marathi-speaking population here, going all out to celebrate the month of Shravan with a gusto. For those in the farming sector, the auspicious festival of Nag Panchami that was celebrated on Friday became the perfect backdrop for people to enjoy swinging.

While many smaller swings are slung from either tall trees or from specially arranged crossbars, one of the bigger loops at the village square is used as a community swing.

On Nag Panchami day, which is observed as a holiday by most agrarian people, the entire population of the village turns up to take turns at the community swing.

“It was to provide some respite to the agricultural labourers during the season that perhaps some festivity was associated with the activity.

There is no doubt that in the days gone by the swing was used to savour ‘anandam’ or pleasure of being ‘free,’ explained B. Muralidhar, a writer.

Swinging is predominant in almost all the villages on the district’s border with Maharashtra or in villages in the mandals of Gudihatnoor, Indervelli, Bazarhatnoor, Boath, etc., where the Marathi-speaking people are present in sizeable numbers.

There are competitions too to decide who swings higher.

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