Asifabad: 30,000 devotees congregate at Kankalamma Jatara

Around 30,000 devotees belonging to several parts of Kumram Bheem Asifabad disrict, Mancherial districts and neighboring Maharashtra made a beeline to the holy place from morning till evening.

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: A large number of devotees thronged to the ancient Sri Kankalamma-Koutheshwara Swamy temple as part of the ongoing five-day long annual festivities celebrated on the premises of the shrine on a colorful note in Koutala mandal centre Sunday.

Around 30,000 devotees belonging to several parts of Kumram Bheem Asifabad disrict, Mancherial districts and neighboring Maharashtra made a beeline to the holy place from morning till evening. They visited the shrine by forming serpentine queue lines and performed special prayers. They broke coconuts to thank the deities for their wellbeing and fulfilling their wishes.

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Sleepy Koutala mandal centre has come alive following the presence of the devotees, who arrived at the holy place by various means of transit including vans, auto-rickshaws and bullock carts. Around 120 policemen were deployed to prevent untoward incidents. Kagaznagar DSP Ramanujam monitored the security arrangements.

The organising committee made elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of the fair. A medical camp was erected for handling emergencies. Temporary toilets, drinking water, lighting and other basic amenities were created for the convenience of the devotees. Security arrangements were made to prevent untoward incidents.

Members of Medari or bamboo weavers’ community worship the deities in the month of Magha of Hindu calendar year.