Nellore: Municipal Administration Minister Dr. Ponguru Narayana said that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had accorded the status of a State Festival to the annual Rottela Panduga at the historic Bara Shaheed Dargah during the 2014-19 government.
Participating in the ongoing five-day Rottela Pandaga at Bara Shaheed Dargah on Friday, the Minister symbolically offered a “State Development Rotte” and later addressed a press conference.
He said the 412-year-old Bara Shaheed Dargah has been witnessing a steady increase in the number of devotees every year. “In 2014, nearly four lakh devotees visited the festival and adequate facilities were lacking. After 2014, we significantly improved infrastructure and amenities at the shrine,” he said.
The Minister estimated that around 15 lakh devotees are expected to visit the festival this year and reiterated the government’s commitment to developing the Bara Shaheed Dargah into a major tourism hub.
“D”evotees arrive here with immense faith from across the country and abroad. We have given special attention to maintaining the cleanliness of Swarnala Cheruvu,” he said.
He detailed that to ensure smooth conduct of the festival, the government has deployed 6,315 municipal staff and 1,870 police personnel, expert swimmers and eight boats for rescue and patrolling operations.
The minister said free medical camps have been arranged for devotees arriving from distant places and that all departments have coordinated extensively to provide better facilities. He added that devotees continue to visit the shrine for another five days even after the official conclusion of the festival and appealed to the public to help maintain cleanliness around the venue.
Ongole MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, who attended the event, said he has been participating in the Rottela Panduga for the past 50 years and appreciated the elaborate arrangements made this year.
He said that after 2014, under the directions of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, M& U Minister Narayana initiated several developmental works at the dargah and transformed it into a major tourist destination. He also suggested that the adjoining tank be developed on the lines of a Tank Bund.
Waqf Board Chairman Abdul Aziz said that the Rottela Panduga in Nellore stands as a symbol of communal harmony and is celebrated beyond caste and religious boundaries.
“B”efore 2014, the festival was organised on a smaller scale. He said that since then, it has grown into a grand celebration. Abdul Aziz that recalled during his tenure as Mayor and with the support of minister Narayana, several development works such as ghats, toilets, showers, cement roads and shelters were constructed at the dargah,” he said.
He added that extensive arrangements, including CCTV cameras and drone surveillance, have been made to ensure the safety and convenience of devotees and appealed to local residents to extend hospitality and support to pilgrims visiting from different regions.
He announced that announced that the Gandha Mahotsavam will be held on the night of June 27, which is expected to attract a large number of devotees.
Nellore Mayor P. Sujatha, Municipal Commissioner Nandan, Deputy Mayor Roop Kumar Yadav, Rottela Panduga Chairman Munir Ahmed, minority leaders and Syed Shami, among others, were present.
