Kothakonda Veerabhadra Swamy Temple
There are many temples in the country which have unique beliefs. People go to the door of God with reverence. Devotees visiting the temple not only break coconuts, offer turmeric and saffron sweets but are also seen donating gold and silver. These are usually the things offered to God, but if something unique is seen in the offering then curiosity definitely arises in the minds of people as to why it is being offered to God. Yes, a similar offering Telangana It is offered at Kothakonda Veerabhadra Swamy Temple in Hanumakonda district.
The biggest offering that devotees offer to God is the royal pumpkin. Be they millionaires or poor devotees. Actually, all the devotees who visit Kothakonda Veerbhadra Swami pick up their pumpkins and stand in queue at Kothakonda as soon as their wishes are fulfilled. They offer pumpkin to Veerbhadra Swami. Not only common devotees, but also public representatives and high ranking officials come with pumpkins and mustaches to pray to the Lord. It is a tradition in this temple that devotees take a pumpkin and offer it to the Lord along with its mustache. Thousands of pumpkins are offered during the fair.
What is the belief behind offering pumpkin?
According to belief, the history of pumpkin is very old. History says that Veerbhadra had killed Daksh in Dakshayagya. Various efforts were made to calm down Virbhadra’s anger. During this time, Kushmandam i.e. the king’s pumpkin was offered to please him, that is why devotees believe that if they offer pumpkin to Veerbhadra, he will be pleased and will bless him. With this belief, devotees come to visit with cut pumpkins.
A fair is also organized here on the occasion of Sankranti. Thousands of Raja’s pumpkins are sold in the Kothakonda Veerabhadra Swamy fair. Ministers, public representatives and police officers also pay obeisance to Virbhadra with the cut pumpkin. They offer the king’s pumpkin to Veerbhadra and pay obeisance. This is the specialty here.
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