INTACH to offer `Pada Seva’ to devotees trekking to Srisailam

A view of the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple at Srisailam illuminated with lights for the recent Mahasivaratri celebrations. File photo
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Nandyal unit and ‘Mana Ooru – Mana Gudi – Mana Bhadyatha’ (Our Village – Our Temple – Our Responsibility) would be offering `pada seva’ to the thousands of devotees from Karnataka and Maharashtra who would be trekking long distances to reach the famous Shaivaite shrine of Srisailam for the Ugani celebrations.

The volunteers would be offering foot massage to the devotees in their camp that would be set up at Nandikotkur.

INTACH Nandyal convenor M.V. Siva Kumar Reddy said, the INTACH has decided to organise the camp under the banner of ‘Athithi Devo Bhava’ (Guest is God), a core principle of our country’s culture. “Devotees from Karnataka and Maharashtra walk for nearly 500 to 700 kms depending on the village they reside to reach Srisailam. They endure severe heat and body pains during their journey. We want to provide some relief to them,’‘ Mr. Siva Kumar Reddy told The Hindu.

Devotees from various parts of the two States have started their journey after `Kamuni Punnami’ (Holi Festival) and are likely to reach the Nandyal district by March 20. The camp will start at 4 pm on March 21 and will we continued for four days. “At least 20 volunteers each will participate in the camp that will be held in morning and evening keeping in view of the heat conditions. We are trying to rope in pharmacy and nursing students also apart from our volunteers taking part in the seva,’‘ Mr Siva Kumar Reddy said. Foot massage will be done with ayurvedic oils.

Apart from this, the organisation is also planning to organise a medical camp and free medicines would be given to the needy people.

We are expecting more than one lakh devotees trekking through the Nallamala forests during the four days of camp and we are expecting to reach out to atleast 25,000-30,000 devotees,’‘ Mr. Siva Kumar Reddy said.

Mr. Siva Kumar Reddy said the devotees come with `sare’ and other offerings made from the harvest from their agriculture fields and they carry huge weights along with them. These offerings will be presented to Goddess Bhramarambha during the Ugadi festivities which will start from March 27-March 31.