Thousands participate in Andhra's 'roti' festival

Hyderabad, Nov 4 (IAN) Thousands of devotees from different faiths Tuesday participated in the 'Rottela Panduga', a unique festival of 'rotis' in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.

Men, women and children from various parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and other states thronged the Bara Shahid dargah on the banks of the Swarnala Cheruvu.

After taking a dip in the tank, the devotees exchanged 'rotis' and prayed at the dargah, believed to be the mausoleum to 12 martyrs.

The three-day annual festival begins on Youm-e-Ashoora or the 10th day of Muharram.

The authorities made elaborate arrangements for the festival, where devotees, whose wishes - made during a previous visit - on being fulfilled bring 'rotis' and hand them to devotees who want to make wishes.

They believe that exchange of 'rotis' at the dargah fulfills their wishes.

The legend has it that 12 warriors sacrificed their lives in a battle with the British in 1751 near Gandavaram, about 30 km from Nellore.

The dargah acquired the name 'Bara Shaheed Dargah' because the beheaded bodies of the warriors were buried there.

From education to jobs, marriage to children, and cure from illness to prosperity, men and women from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and other states and even some from abroad make every wish during the festival.

The devotees buy specially made 'rotis' from the stalls put up at dargah.

The local authorities expect more than 200,000 devotees this year.