Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam   

Fisherwomen pray to Gangamma

VISAKHAPATNAM: It seems only the fishermen whose lives depend on the sea remembered tsunami that struck the region four years ago.

Hundreds of fisherwomen from Peda Jalaripeta and some also from other fishermen colonies of the city, accompanied by their men folk on Wednesday performed the Gangamma jatara, the annual ritual they have been doing for the last three years on this day to pray to the goddess of water (Gangamma) not to “get angry again but to show mercy and keep them happy.”

The fisherfolk believe that the puja they perform on every anniversary of tsunami will not allow another tsunami to happen. Fisherwomen holding a Kalasam on her head walked in a procession from Peda Jalaripeta to the sea shore to the accompaniment of drums. The men folk accompanied them.

The rituals were organised under the leadership of their leader and head priest Teddu Sattenna. Mayor Pulusu Janardhana Rao, Deputy Mayor K. Dorababu, MLA S. Rangaraju, Telugu Desam leader Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu also participated.

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