Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada   

Teppotsavam marks the end of Dasara

- PHOTO: CH.VIJAYA BHASKAR

Grand finale: ’Hamsavahanam’, the specially decorated and illuminated swan-like boat, sails in the Krishna carrying the processional deities of Sri Durga Malleswara Swami, as part of ‘Teppotsavam’, in Vijayawada on Thursday.

VIJAYAWADA: As sunset reflected in the placid waters of the Krishna, the specially decorated and illuminated ‘Hamsa Vaahanam’ (swan shape boat) carrying the processional deities of goddess Kanakadurga and her consort Malleswara Swami moved majestically from Durga ghat for the colourful ‘Teppotsavam,’ the celestial boat ride that marked the grand finale of the 10-day Dasara festivities of Kanakadurga temple on Indrakeeladri, on Thursday.

Amidst recitation of Vedic hymns by temple priests, a few police personnel, in tune with the regular custom, brought the processional deities to the river bank.

Unlike what was in practice till last year, none of the officials and political leaders was allowed to board the special boat. Only a few priests and technicians of the Irrigation Department were allowed.

The officials, elected representatives and members of the festival committee, besides media persons, were asked to board the ‘Bodhisiri’ cruise of the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation.

Krishna District Collector Shailaja Ramaiyer, MLAs Sk. Nasar Vali and K. Parthasarathi were among those who boarded ‘Bodhisiri.’ Police Commissioner K.V. Rajendranath Reddy, Sub-Collector Gaurav Uppal and other officials monitored the event from Durga ghat.

The event began at 5.30 p.m. sharp and it took nearly half-an-hour for the special boat to complete the first round in the Krishna. Keeping in view the past experience when the ‘Hamsa Vaahanam’ had got stuck in one of the crest gates of Prakasam Barrage, the officials positioned some country boats in the river to mark the boundaries for the technicians operating the special boat.

When the commentators recounted the references made to ‘Teppotsavam’ in different epics, the special boat reached the ghat after completing three rounds in the river. The police brought back the idol to ‘Jammi Doddi’ with reverence, where they performed the ritual ‘Sammi Pooja’ amid much fanfare.

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