Asifabad: Gangapur temple decked up for Jatara
Three-day annual fete from today; all arrangements in place for the fair: EO
Kumram Bheem Asifabad: The ancient Sri Balaji Venkateshwara Swamy Devasthanam of Gangapur village in Rebbana mandal has been spruced up for the three-day long annual Jatara, slated from Feb 26 to 28.
Bapi Reddy, executive officer of the temple, said that elaborate arrangements were made for the smooth conduct of the fair. He stated that drinking water, 20 temporary toilets, and a lighting system were created, besides deploying 200 workers for sanitation. He added that the shrine would likely register a heavy influx this year, considering no major fairs to be celebrated on this weekend.
According to information provided by the officials concerned, the temple was already decked up and special buses would be operated by TRSRT to Gangapur. Eight inspectors, 18 sub-inspectors, 34 head constables and 78 constables would be pressed at the temple as part of security measures. The security measures would be supervised by Asifabad DSP Acheshwar Rao.
Celestial wedding of Lord Balaji with Padmavati would be performed on February 26 at 11.46 am. Public representatives and officials are going to present at the event. Rathotsvam, a big draw of the fair was going to be held on Saturday at 6.15 pm. Around one lakh Devotees belonging to several parts of the district and neighboring Maharashtra are expected to congregate at the holy spot.
Legend
According to locals and a legend, Mummadi Pothaji, a staunch devotee of Lord Venkateshwara Swamy used to visit Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam every year. He was regularly performing prayers at the famous shrine. But, he once could not throng the abode due to some ailment after being aged. He was depressed over his inability to take up the pilgrimage.
So, the Lord Balaji appeared in the dream of Pothaji and told him that he could be spotted inside of a hillock if he drills it. Accordingly, the devotee managed to make a large size hole to the rocky hillock with the help of a crowbar. Over a period of time, he could find the idol of Venkateshwara Swamy. Then, he used to worship the god by performing special prayers on every full moon day of Magha, the sacred month of Hindu calendar year.
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