Nearly two lakh devotees throng Gudivanka hill shrine for Adi Krithika
Nearly two lakh devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu thronged the hilltop temple of Lord Muruga at Gudivanka in Gudipala mandal, near the
Nearly two lakh devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu thronged the hilltop temple of Lord Muruga at Gudivanka in Gudipala mandal, near the tri-State junction at Kuppam, on Friday to take part in the annual Adi Krithika celebrations. A steady stream of devotees began trekking the hillock from Thursday evening. Many, dressed in traditional attire, carried kavadis, decorated wooden poles bearing offerings to Lord Muruga at either end. Believed to date back to the 19th century and administered by the State Endowments Department, the temple is steeped in local folklore.
According to legend, during the British Raj, a group of devotees from Karnataka travelling through the forests to Tiruttani in Tamil Nadu was chased by wild elephants. As they fled up the hill chanting “Harom Hara”, the elephants followed them to the summit but, instead of attacking, raised their trunks in salutation. Lord Muruga is believed to have appeared before the elephants and asked his brother, Lord Ganesh, to spare the devotees. A small shrine was subsequently built at the site, which gradually evolved into a prominent place of worship.
The festival is marked by intense expressions of devotion. Some devotees pierce their skin with sharp objects and pull weights attached to hooks fixed to their backs. Several devotees, including women and children, offer their hair in fulfilment of vows before undertaking the trek to the hilltop while chanting devotional hymns. Many prepare food offerings at the hilltop, offer them to the deity and later distribute them among fellow devotees. Superintendent of Police Tushar Dudi said 200 police personnel had been deployed for bandobast. Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation officials said 20 special buses were being operated round the clock between Kuppam bus station and Gudivanka.
Special bus services were also operated from Jolarpettai, Krishnagiri, Vaniyambadi and Ambur in Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile, thousands of devotees offered prayers at Lord Muruga temples in Palamaner and Chittoor. Many others from different parts of Chittoor district travelled to Tiruttani, Palani and Maruthamalai in Tamil Nadu to participate in the Adi Krithika festivities.
The BriefWire