The indigenous culture of Ongole was on display as grand ‘Kalaram’ processions were taken out from temples dedicated to the mother goddess, marking the end of the nine-day Dasara festivities.
In adherence to the tradition, devotees took the idol of the divine Mother in a flower-bedecked vehicle from the Balatripurasundari Devi temple here to rejoice the decimation of the buffalo-headed demon Mahishasura by the omnipotent Durgadevi.
Devotees vied with one another for a glimpse of the tastefully decorated Goddess from vantage points. Artistes dressed like gods and goddesses were at the forefront of the procession which meandered through narrow lanes and bylanes. Youngsters burst crackers and danced to rhythmic drum beats while leading the colourful processions.
Meanwhile, all roads in the city led to Jammi Chettu (bulrush tree) street in the Lawyerpet area as devotees offered special prayers to the tree considered sacred since the days of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, for success in their ventures. Processional deities from different temples made their way past the tree on the narrow street.
Girls performed scintilating ‘Kolatam’ as well as Kuchipudi ballet on the occasion. Chandanotsavam fete was organised at the Santhapeta Sai Baba temple to mark Vijayadasami.
Bapatla Superintendent of Police Vakul Jindal and Prakasam SP Malika Garg together performed ‘Ayudha pooja’ guided by Vedic priest M. Dakshinamurthy to arms and ammunitions on the occasion.
