<p>This year was no different. Several devotees from various places were seen getting coconuts broken on their heads as part of ‘parva pooja’ here on Monday. <br />The Kuruba community celebrated festival with the usual pomp and gaiety. They offered various offerings to Lord Siddeshwara and Lord Bhatteshwara here. <br /><br />The devotees from various districts participate in the religious programmes here. <br />The preparations for the celebrations begin well in advance. The senior leaders of the village assemble to discuss the issue a few days before the Navarathri festival begins. They select a bullock and send it, along with kumkum, to invite their kith and kin in other villages.<br /><br />Age-old practice<br />According to this age-old practice the bullock goes to these villages and the residents there offer pooja and accept the invitations. <br /><br />Thousands of devotees throng the temple premises on the Vijayadashami day. Surprisingly, the members of this community continue even to this day to get coconuts broken on their heads and follow the traditional rituals with conviction. <br />The devotees will take bath in cold water and chant hymns before going to the coconut-breaking ceremony. <br /><br />Besides, they offer ‘tambittu’ deepa (light lit with a delicious sweet). Further, the festival provides an occasion for the annual get-together of the community members.</p>
<p>This year was no different. Several devotees from various places were seen getting coconuts broken on their heads as part of ‘parva pooja’ here on Monday. <br />The Kuruba community celebrated festival with the usual pomp and gaiety. They offered various offerings to Lord Siddeshwara and Lord Bhatteshwara here. <br /><br />The devotees from various districts participate in the religious programmes here. <br />The preparations for the celebrations begin well in advance. The senior leaders of the village assemble to discuss the issue a few days before the Navarathri festival begins. They select a bullock and send it, along with kumkum, to invite their kith and kin in other villages.<br /><br />Age-old practice<br />According to this age-old practice the bullock goes to these villages and the residents there offer pooja and accept the invitations. <br /><br />Thousands of devotees throng the temple premises on the Vijayadashami day. Surprisingly, the members of this community continue even to this day to get coconuts broken on their heads and follow the traditional rituals with conviction. <br />The devotees will take bath in cold water and chant hymns before going to the coconut-breaking ceremony. <br /><br />Besides, they offer ‘tambittu’ deepa (light lit with a delicious sweet). Further, the festival provides an occasion for the annual get-together of the community members.</p>
