Weekend boost extends Sankranti cheer in Vizianagaram, Srikakulam villages

Festive fervour continued in the rural areas of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts on Saturday as it was a weekend, enabling many professionals and others who had returned to their native places to extend their Sankranti celebrations. Mukkanuma, observed on the day after Kanuma, holds special significance in villages, where cows and oxen, regarded as members of the family, are decorated and worshipped.

Representatives of the Ramanarayanam temple, Narayanam Ramayya and Narayanam Srinivas, along with former Vice-Chancellor of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, Hanumanthu Lajapathirai, CGI Global director Madanmohan Mogili and others, performed gopuja at the cow shelter of the Ramanarayanam temple in Vizianagaram. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Lajapathirai said protection of cows and oxen was the need of the hour and that celebrating Kanuma and Mukkanuma would help the younger generation understand their importance in everyday life.

Cattle play a vital role in the rural economy and cultural life, which is why villagers decorate them and offer prayers during Kanuma and Mukkanuma, he said, adding that cattle are considered part of the family in village society.

Meanwhile, roads across Vizianagaram and Srikakulam wore a deserted look on Saturday as people preferred to stay indoors and celebrate the festival days with family members. Crowds at cinema theatres were also relatively thin, as tickets for most new releases were largely being sold through e-commerce portals.