Date:10/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/10/stories/2008101056110300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Dasara celebrated with gaiety

Staff Reporter

– Uppu Damodar

Custom: SP Y. Gangadhar firing in the air after performing ayudha puja in Karimnagar town on Thursday. Photo:

ADILABAD: If it was Ravan dahan in the evening in Adilabad town that marked the culmination of Dasara festival, farmers in rural areas undertook ‘Shammi puja’. Ayudha Puja was also organised in connection with the festival at temples, industries, workshops and other places.

A shobha yatra from Kanyaka Parameshwari temple to Dasnapur was organised by the Hindu Samaj Utsav Samiti. Adilabad Superintendent of Police set the statue of Ravana on fire at Dasnapur’s Hanuman temple where thousands from Adilabad town gather to witness the celebrations.

Earlier in the day he had performed the Ayudha puja at the armoury at the AR head quarters here.

People were seen flocking the ground near the Hanuman temple since 5 pm and stayed put until the statue was lit symbolising the victory of good over evil. On the way back, they brought with them the ‘sona and chandi’ the jowar and patri leaves, which they exchanged with near and dear ones after greeting them.’

In Karimnagar

Staff reporter from Karimnagar adds: Dasara festival was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety in various parts of Karimnagar district on Thursday. People formed serpentine queues at the historic Sri Gidde Perumandla Swamy devasthanams in Karimnagar town to offer prayers .

The temple authorities conducted ‘shammi’ puja on the occasion. Markfed chairman Ponnam Prabhakar, Mayor D. Shankar, temple chairman B. Yadagiri Rao and others participated.

At the Karimnagar district police headquarters, Superintendent of Police Y. Gangadhar participated in Ayudha puja of fire arms.

Later, he also fired some rounds of fire in the air after the puja programme.