Andhra Pradesh: Amid coronavirus, 3-day Shakambari festival begins

Vijayawada: The annual Shakambari festival commenced at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam temple in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, from today (July 3). The event, however, will be a low- key affair this year in view of the COVID-19 guidelines. The temple is decorated with fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Rituals such as Vigneswara Puja, Punyavachanam, Akhanda Deeparadhana, Ankurarpanam, Vastu Homam, Kalasa Sthapana, Chandi Homam and Veda Patana will be performed. Shakambari festival is celebrated to propitiate Goddess Kanaka Durga for bountiful rains, abundant harvest and good yield of vegetables. This festival is also observed in Telangana as "Bonalu" and was carried out as the state festival.