Indrakeeladri to host Sankranti celebrations with ‘Bommala Koluvu’, cultural events

The Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri announced grand celebrations to mark Makara Sankranti this year. The temple Vedic Committee decided to organise the festivities in a vibrant manner reflecting the cultural traditions of Telugu people.

As part of the celebrations, traditional Bhogi bonfires will be lit in a ceremonial manner on January 14 (Wednesday) at 5 a.m. near Sri Mahaganapati Swamy temple on Indrakeeladri. The ritual symbolises the traditional observance of Bhogi during the harvest season.

A special attraction of the festivities will be the age-old Telugu custom of ‘Bommala Koluvu’ (traditional doll display). The ‘Bommala Koluvu’ will be organised from January 14 to January 16 on the seventh floor of Maha Mandapam, located opposite the Rajagopuram. Devotees will be able to visit and view artistic doll arrangements depicting various forms of the Goddess and traditional themes. 

Additionally, cultural and Vedic programmes including Gangireddula performances, Haridasu devotional singing, and other folk art forms will be held in the temple premises from January 14 to 16. 

Meanwhile, temple Executive Officer (EO) V.K. Seena Naik urged the devotees to participate in the Sankranti celebrations. The newly-constructed Goshala shed at Veda Pathashala in Poranki village, under the temple administration, will be inaugurated on January 14 at 11:45 a.m., he said.

The EO also said that the Devasthanam Board Chairman Borra Radhakrishna (Gandhi), Trust Board members Avaru Srinivasa Rao, Y. Subrahmanya Kumar, Sukasi Sarita, and special invitee Brahmam conducted a comprehensive review of the ‘Annadanam’ (free food) programme.

As part of the quality inspection, the temple Chairman, Executive Officer, and members of the Trust Board inspected the Annadanam Bhavan and partook in the ‘Annaprasadam’ along with devotees. The inspection team examined food quality standards, items on menu, hygiene practices, and interacted directly with devotees to gather feedback on the services.