Srikakulam :

Apart form the reputation the khadi weavers from Ponduru has earned over the years for their fine craftsmanship, they have another reason to feel honoured on the eve of Mahasivarathri.

Tradition has it that every year, the craftsmen prepare talapagas (turbans) for Mallikarjuna Swamy temple in Srisailam in Kurnool district for Mahasivarathri and the celebrations begin at the temple after the turban is offered to the presiding deity Mallikarjuna Swamy. The weavers also prepare khadi vastram for Goddess Bramarambha  and Lord Vigneswara too.

This time, the weavers have prepared a turban measuring 360 cubits. Carrying the holy turban, a group of 15 people from Ponduru started journey to Srisailam on Wednesday in a mini bus. A celebration marked at the local Uma Rama Lingeswara Swamy temple prior to the group left for Srisailam.
As for the tradition, a weaver’s family take the task of preparing the holy turban and this year, the onus was on the family of Balla Kumara Swamy of Laveti Street of Ponduru. It took three months to prepare the turban, says Balla Kumara Swamy.

“The making of turban starts in the Khartika masam, which is said to be the favourite month of Lord Siva. We started the works on the day of Yekasadi. My entire family took deeksha. During the period of weaving, we eat only vegetarian food, take head bath every day and pray Lord Siva. We, the weavers, believe that our families are blessed ones, if we prepare the holy cloth for the Lord,” Kumar Swamay says.
The endowment authorities pay some amount to the weavers for preparing the turban, but it is insufficient, say the weavers. Some Samaritans also donate for the holy turban too.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / February 24th, 2017