Date:12/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/12/stories/2009011254480500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Nellore

Lakhs offer prayers at ‘Bara Shaheed Dargah’

Staff Reporter

Festive atmosphere in Nellore as ‘Rottela Panduga’ concludes

People from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka visit dargah
Busy day for the vendors at the dargah

SEEKING BLESSINGS: Devotees offering prayers at the martyrs’ tombs at ‘Bara Shaheed Dargah’ in Nellore on the last day of ‘Rottela Panduga’ on Sunday.

NELLORE: Lakhs of people thronged the ‘Bara Shaheed Dargah’ on the banks of Nellore Cheruvu where the bodies of the 12 war martyrs were laid to rest and paid tributes to them on the last day of ‘Rottela Panduga’ on Sunday.

Heavy rush was seen at the dargah even as the bus station and the junction in the city was swarming with people.

Devotees thronged the city from the neighbouring villages and towns to offer ‘mokku’ on the last day of the festival.

Exchanging rotis

Men and women were seen preparing rotis in the stalls at the dargah for the pilgrims who exchange rotis with others with a prayer that their problems get solved. Vendors did brisk business as they sold ‘prasadam’ and colourful clothes, meant to be offered at the dargah.

Several stalls selling eatables, juice and fruit, clothes, toys, books and bangles were set up in places around the dargah. Devotees from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka also participated in the festival and exchanged rotis after taking a holy dip in the Cheruvu.

Long queues were seen at the dargah in the evening and the rush was expected to continue till night, police said.

Belief

According to Lakshmamma, a devotee, taking part in the festival for the third time, the vows of devotees get fulfilled if they offer prayers at the dargah and exchange rotis during the fete. A couple from Tirupati at the dargah said they were taking part in fete in the hope that their son would have a bright future.