Over 20 lakh devotees attend Rottela Panduga in Nellore

Published 1 July 2026 · india

More than 20 lakh devotees visited the famous Bara Shaheed Dargah to celebrate ‘Rotela Panduga’ in Nellore this year, said Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board Chairman

More than 20 lakh devotees visited the famous Bara Shaheed Dargah to celebrate ‘Rotela Panduga’ in Nellore this year, said Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board Chairman Abdul Aziz during the closing ceremony held on Tuesday (June 30, 2026) evening. He congratulated the officials of all departments and gave mementos to them. On the occasion, State Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy offered special prayers at the dargah. Speaking to the media, he described ‘Rotela Panduga’ as a shining example of religious harmony. It was hailed as a unique spiritual event where people of diverse religions, traditions, and cultures came together on a single platform to demonstrate mutual respect and spirit of brotherhood.

“India has demonstrated the concept of ‘Unity in Diversity’ to the world, and ‘Rottelu Panduga’ stands as a true reflection of that great culture. The gathering of devotees from various faiths—including Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jains, and Sikhs—in one place to exchange roti on the banks of Swarnala Cheruvu, without any reservations, reflects the greatness of our culture,” he said. The Minister noted that this centuries-old tradition transcends mere spiritual belief, standing instead as a symbol of interfaith harmony, a spirit of social unity, and human values. He emphasised that regardless of religion, all human beings are one, and that mutual love, respect, and coexistence are the core principles of Indianness.

He stated that every year, several devotees from various states across the country flock to participate in the festival, driven by their deep faith in the Dargah. He remarked that the transformation of this festival—which began with only a few thousand devotees—into a grand event drawing lakhs of people today stands as a testament to its significance. Anam further said that the State government is taking special measures to provide better facilities for the devotees. This festival was organised with greater grandeur with the cooperation of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Minister Nara Lokesh, and other leaders from the district, he added.

He expressed the hope that this tradition would continue for generations to come, serving as a guiding light for religious harmony and national unity. Nellore Mayor Devarakonda Sujatha, TDP official spokesperson Kotamreddy Giridhar Reddy, DSP Deeksha, Municipal Commissioner Y. O. Nandan, Deputy Mayor Tahseen Imtiaz, and others participated in the event.