The annual ‘Rottela Panduga’ (roti festival) being celebrated at the Barashahid Dargah on the banks of Swarnala Cheruvu here has proved to be a landmark event for Nellore city. The 4-day event will be held from November 4 to 7.

Forecasting arrival of a larger numbers of pilgrims this year, the dargah committee and the Nellore Municipal Corporation are making additional arrangements for the smooth conduct of the festivities.

Mayor Sk. Abdul Aziz said that nearly 20 lakh pilgrims from different parts of the country would be expected to take part in ‘Rottela Panduga’ festival this year. Accordingly, the drinking water, sanitation and toilet facilities were being made available to avoid any inconvenience to people.

The dargah committee was formed with nearly 110 members on it recently. The festival was special for the devotees as they exchange ‘rotis’ between them standing in the cool waters of Nellore tank here in fulfilment of their wishes made at the tombs of the warriors in the past.

Mr. Aziz said that those, whose wishes were fulfilled, would present ‘rotis’ to those who arrive to make their fresh wishes. Different devotees make different wishes, which mostly relate to health, wealth, family harmony, marriage alliances, educational progress and so on.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by G. Ravikiran / Nellore – November 01st, 2014