Gudem temple is an ideal destination in Karthika masam

Mancherial: Karthika Masam is considered an auspicious month in the Telugu calendar to observe fasting, light lamps and charities by followers of Hindu religion. Devotees would throng temples and perform rituals, braving the chilly weather conditions. The ancient Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Devasthanam at Gudem village in Dandepalli mandal is the most sought-after destination for Satyanarayana […]

Mancherial: Karthika Masam is considered an auspicious month in the Telugu calendar to observe fasting, light lamps and charities by followers of Hindu religion. Devotees would throng temples and perform rituals, braving the chilly weather conditions.

The ancient Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Devasthanam at Gudem village in Dandepalli mandal is the most sought-after destination for Satyanarayana Swamy vratham during this month. The abode of Lord Satyanarayana Swamy is the major pilgrim centre of the district. It is touted to be the ‘Annavaram of Telangana’. The shrine is thronged by devotees from several parts of Telangana and neighbouring Maharashtra. It, in particular, sees a heavy influx of devotees in Karthika masam as couples make a beeline to this shrine to perform the popular ritual Satyanaraya Swamy vratham for the well-being of their family members.

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“The temple is an ideal destination for devotees of several parts of Telangana and neighboring states to perform Satyanarayana vratham. Elaborate arrangements are made for the smooth conduct of the rituals. Sufficient priests are kept available for performing the rituals. Karthika masam fetches a major proportion of income to the shrine,” Executive Officer Vadluri Anusha told ‘Telangana Today’.

Evidently, the temple registered 16,178 vrathams and collected Rs 1.24 crore income for the year 2019 and 2020 as against 16,181 vrathams with the revenue of Rs 1.24 crore recorded in 2018- 2019. It had witnessed 15,074 rituals and collected Rs 1.09 crore in the form of offerings in 2017-18 while 9,789 vrathams and the revenue was of Rs 80 lakh in 2020-21, according to temple authorities.

Annavaram prasadam
Buoyed by the huge congregation of devotees during the holy month, authorities of the temple have introduced sales of special prasadam, on the lines of prasadam offered at Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Devasthanam of Annavaram in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, for the first time recently. “The offering made of wheat flour tastes like that of Annavaram’s shrine and is priced at Rs 25. It is evoking a good response,” Anusha, the EO, said.

Mass rituals
Devotees can take part in the mass rituals by buying tickets ranging from Rs 400 to Rs 1,500 at special counters. They are divided into three batches. While the first batch of couples starts vratham at 9 am, the second batch of pairs commences prayers at 11 am. The last batch of devotees participates in the ritual from 3 pm. Jorrigala Shankar, an ardent devotee from Mancherial town said that he never misses performing the ritual at the famed shrine every year, adding, the ritual brings peace and health to his family.

How to reach
Located on the banks of Godavari and a hillock, the shrine can easily be reached from Karimnagar and Mancherial towns and has better connectivity. Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) operates sufficient bus service on the Mancherial-Karimnagar route via Luxettipet town. Gudem is situated around 30 kilometres from Mancherial and about 70 kilometres from Karimnagar district centre. Mancherial town has both rail and bus services from Hyderabad, 250 kilometres away.

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