PARUVETA UTSAVAM -AHOBILAM

Temples are the nerve centres for Indian Culture. Since time immemorial, Fairs and Festivals celebrated in temples have great influence on the spiritual and cultural life of Indian society. One such festival is Paruveta utsavam celebrated in Ahobilam ,Nandyal district Andhra Pradesh. Ahobilam Paruveta utsavam is unique of its kind as such festival is not celebrated in any other part of our Bharath. It is a grand festival that lasts for about 40 to 45 days as a part of which the main deities of Ahobilam –Shri Prahladavarada Swamy and Jwala Narasimha swamy are taken in procession to about 32 villages. The paruveta utsavam starts on the Makarasankranthi.Shri Jwala Narasim ha swamy is taken down to Lower Ahobilam from Upper Ahobilam on the day of Makarasankranthi.On the next day i.e., the Kanuma day-both the deities start their Paruveta.  Legend is that Paruveta utsavam was started by Sri Aan Satagopa Yatheendra Mahadesikan,the founder of Sri Ahobila math around 630 years ago as per the ine commond.The lines-grame grame cha gathva pada charanayo maam gruhithwa-supports the legend.There is a belief among the devotees particularly,Chenchus,the local tribe that Lord Narasimha swamy is going to each and every village to invite devotees for his marriage with Chenchu Lakshmi. It starts On the day of Kanuma The deities are seated in a separate manatapa.Special offerings are made to the lord. GUDIKATTU and AYAKATTU , special honours to certain people are given as per the age old tradition. Then the deities are seated in a Pallaki(Palanquin) and the procession starts. At the entrance of temple, Chenchus shoot arrows at the pallaki indicating that the Pallaki is under the protection of Chenchus. The procession proceeds towards Bachepalli.