Devotees swarm Nirmal’s Adelli to mark conclusion of Ganganeella jatara

The two-day Ganganeella Jatara ended at the Pochamma temple in Adelli village, Nirmal district, on Sunday. Thousands of devotees participated in rituals, including purification of deity’s jewelry with Godavari water, sacrifices, and prayers, despite heavy rains and challenging weather.

Nirmal: The two-day long annual Ganganeella Jatara concluded at the ancient Pochamma temple on a grand note at sleepy Adelli village of Sarangapur mandal on Sunday.

A large number of devotees from several parts of Nirmal, Adilabad and Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal districts and neighboring Maharashtra visited the temple and offered special prayers to mark the conclusion of the fair. They sacrificed chickens and goats as a token of gratitude for fulfilling their wishes and for the well-being of their family members. They arrived at the holy place by cars, auto-rickshaws, jeeps, trolleys, tractors and bullock carts.

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Earlier, sacred jewelry of the deity was purified by water of Godavari river at Sangvi village by taking them ceremoniously in a grand procession which passes through Adelli, Sarangapur, Yakarpalli, Vanjar, Pyaramur, Kadili, Mategaon, Dilawarpur and Kanjiri villages on Saturday. The jewelry was then brought back to the temple on Sunday.

Farmers and devotees take part in cleansing of the jewelry facing heavy rains and other unfavorable climatic conditions. It is believed that farmers would prosper and the public stay healthy and earn wealth if they sprinkle sacred water drawn from the river in crops and houses. The festival signifies a bond with the river and humans.

Superintendent of Police Dr Janaki Sharmila carried the jewelry of the goddess when it was on the way to Adelli village. She advised the devotees to celebrate the fair in a peaceful manner. She said that security measures were taken to prevent untoward incidents. Priests and members of the governing council of the temple felicitated her.