Hundreds of devotees from different parts of the state reached Paderu to take part in the Sri Modakondamma Jatara, which began here on Sunday.
Alluri Seethamaraju District Collector Sumit Kumar and Paderu MLA K. Bhagyalakshmi was the first to have darshan of the main deity after performing special puja. The three-day festival began on a grand note, amid tribal dances and chants in praise of the main deity by folk artistes. A big procession is taken out by the organizers along with the ‘Utsava Murti’ (procession deity). A large number of devotees reached the temple since early morning and offered variety of dishes to the Lord and prayed for the welfare of the world.
Mr. Sumit Kumar said that all the arrangements like providing transport, cleanliness, food, water supply, decorations, queue lines and accommodation for the artistes are in place. Around 1,500 police personnel have been deployed to provide security, he said. He said that attention is being given to traffic and crowd management.
ITDA Project Director V. Abhishek held a review meeting to ensure peaceful conduct of the festival. He formed committees to ensure the division of various works.
On this occasion, a huge carnival was organized by the district administration. Tribal artistes from different parts of the region performed at the carnival. A grand cultural program was organized late in the night.
ITDA officials have arranged around 20 stalls belonging to various government departments at the fair, which was organized as part of the annual festival.