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Marriage of Bhadrakali and
Virabhadra
Tegada in Nagur, independent sub-taluk
of Khannan district, has Bhadrakali and Virabhadraswami temple as a
place of worship. The marriage of Bhadrakali and Virabhadra is
celebrated for two days on the 13th and 14th days
of the dark fortnight in the month of Magha. On the morning of
Trayodasi Lord Virabhadraswami is taken to the river Godavari, which
is about three kilometers from this place to the accompaniment of music
and Abhishekam is performed with the holy waters and the idol is brought
back to the temple. Then 'sunku' is measured before the Lord. Sunku
is explained as follows.
Some rice is measured before the image of the Lord
with a new earthen pitcher and poured into a new pot, then it is covered
with an earthen plate and is wrapped in a new cloth. The seal
of the Lord is affixed on the knot of the cloth and the pot is kept
to the left of the pedestal of the image. Before the procession
of the Lord starts in the night, the pot is opened and the same person
measures that rice again with the same pitcher, more rice is found,
than what was measured into the pot in the morning. If it is found
that the quantity of the rice in the pot has increased, the festival
is celebrated considering it as a good omen. There is a procession
throughout the night. During the procession some devotees pierce their
tongues or cheeks with marasalu, coconuts, jaggery, fruits and pumpkins
are offered. Some devotees bathe in Godavari and observe fasting
and jagaranam. Some devotees do fire- walking also.
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