Sirimanu Uthsavam is an annual festival organized on the first Tuesday after Dasara festival to propitiate goddess Pydithallamma of Vizianagaram, where thousands of people participate in the event and take the blessings of Pydithallamma. This event is organized by the Rajas of Vizianagaram.
History: During the battle of Bobbili January 23, 1757 entire Bobbili fort got destroyed and many Bobbili soldiers died in the battle. The wife of Vijaya Rama Raju and Sister Sri. Pydimamba tried to stop the battle on hearing this news but were not successful. By that time, only Sri Pydimamba, sister of Vijayaramaraju was suffering from Masuchi disease. While she was engaged in the puja of Goddess she came to know that Vijayaramaraju is in trouble. She wanted to inform her brother regarding this and tried to convey the message through Vizianagaram soldiers, but every one was in the battle. She started, along with Patiwada Appalanaidu, to convey the message in a horse cart. But, by that time, she got the news that his brother Vijaya Rama Raju died at the hands of Tandra PapaRayudu. She dropped unconscious. Patiwada Appalanaidu sprinkled water over her face and she came to conscious stage and told Appalanaidu that she will not live any more. She decided to leave her body and give up her soul to the Goddess. Her statue can be found at the west bank of Pedda Cheruvu (A pond located at the heart of Vizianagaram lies on the west side of Vizianagaram Fort). The fishermen found the idol of Pydimamba and constructed a temple called Vanam Gudi for goddess, at Vizianagaram Railway Station which was the first temple for Pydimamba, the second temple is located at three lanterns junction.
Rituals: Every year on the first Tuesday after Vijayadasami, Sirimanu Utsav is being celebrated since then. Sirimanu means a big tree. It is known that 15 days before Sirimanu Utsavam goddess Pydimamba will come in the dream of temple Pujari and tell him where the Sirimanu for this year is located. Pujari will go in search of sirimanu and will cut the sirimanu after performing puja etc. That sirimanu can be located anywhere. The owner must agree to cut his tree for Utsav. That tree will be shaped neatly into Sirimanu and will be placed over the chariot. This sirimanu will be brought to Three Lanterns junction around 2:00 pm. At around this time, temple Pujari will make darshan of Goddess and will sit on the Sirimanu chariot. This sirimanu will move 3 times to Vizianagaram fort and temple between 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The Vizianagaram rajahs will sit on the top of the fort and watch the Utsav. Pujari will be given new clothes by Rajas and puja is performed. In front of Sirimanu there will be a chariot in the shape of White elephant
Exactly before sunset Sirimanu Utsav officially ends. People from nortern parts of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Madhya pradesh throng to see this Utsav. After completion of Utsav near 3 lanters junction at Vizianagaram thousands of people get a darshan of the Sirimanu. Farmers take a small part of the branch and keep it near the plough at their house to have a good crop in the coming year.
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