Nandyal MP seeks UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage tag for Ahobilam Paruveta Utsavam

MP Byreddy Shabari urged the Centre to recommend ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ tag by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), for the Paruveta Utsavam (mock hunting festival) of the Abhobilam Narasimha Swamy temple in Nandyal district.

Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha during Zero Hour on Thursday, Ms. Shabari described Andhra Pradesh as the ‘land of temples’, saying that Nandyal district has the temple of nine forms of Narasimha Swamy (Nava Narasimha Swamy).

Highlighting the significance of the temple, Ms. Shabari said Lord Narasimha Swamy married Lakshmi, a lady belonging to Chenchu tribe, which is the speciality of the temple.

She added that tribals of 33 villages had been celebrating the Paruvata Utsavam for 40 days every year for the past several decades.

She said the festival signifies trust and devotion to Lord Narasimha Swamy and a symbol of communal harmony.

Ms Shabari said the statue of Mahavatar Narasimha is taken out in a procession to every street as a part of the festival.

“The Chenchu tribals has a special relation with Lord Narasimha and the Paruveta Utsavam is a symbol of intangible culture,” she said and urged the Centre to recommend for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage tag for the Paruveta Utsavam.

Meanwhile, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is working to secure a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage tag for the Paruveta Utsavam.