We live in a country with diverse cultures and the cultures of different states and cities never fail to enthrall us. Recently, Vizianagaram, a sleepy town in Andhra Pradesh came alive when the festival of Sirimanothsavam was celebrated with great zeal.

History Of Sirimanothsavam

Legend has it that in the eighteenth century, King Pusapati Vijayarama Gajapati Rajuwas was killed in a battle. His sister Pydimamba was struck with grief and she ended her life by jumping into the Peddacheruvu lake. Before taking the plunge she took a vow that she would always guard and protect the town. She said that her statue will be found at the west end of Peddacheruvu. Fishermen indeed found the statue which was then installed in a temple constructed specially for it. The Goddess has been worshipped since then by the locals who believe that She has been protecting the town to this day. Every first Tuesday after Dussera, the festival of Sirimaothsavam is celebrated to appease the Goddess.

The Grand Festivities

Vizianagaram bursts with lights and dazzling colours during the three-day festivities. Lakhs of excited people from all over the country come to Vizianagaram to be a part of the festivities. One can see children holding rooster shaped balloons or blowing the pungi (a musical instrument) which adds to the cacophony. People wait to see performers dressed as Ram, Sita, princesses, kings and tigers. One can see men performing their traditional dance, a mock figurine of an elephant, a massive umbrella made of fishing nets. The crowd erupts in cheer when a man dressed in regal attire and seated on a pole passes by. He is the priest of the temple and the festival gets its name from the long pole which is called ‘Sirimanu’.

The people of the city dress themselves in their best attires and flock to Vizianagaram to witness and participate in this dazzling festival of ‘Sirimanothsavam’.