Nelloreans busy celebrating “Rottela Panduga”

Rottela Panduga is being celebrated from Tuesday at the Barashahid Dargah on the banks of Swarnala Cheruvu.  All roads in Nellore are leading towards the Nellore tank. Devotees  from different religions from all corners of the world offered prayers at Bara Shaheed Dargah and exchanged rotis. . This festival symbolises religious harmony

History says that 12 religious warriors had laid down their lives for the sake of spreading Islam in South India in the 1780s. When they were touring Tamilnadu, the warriors took part in a fierce battle with rival forces at Gandhavaram village, Kodavalur mandal  before they were slaughtered.  The heads which were slaughtered were at Gandhavaram , but the bodies were brought to Swarnala Cheruvu, Nellore with the help of horses. According to the religious leaders,  the Khaji of Nellore has seen these 12 warriors in his dream and they told him to construct dargah at Nellore tank and also at Gandhavaram village where there were chopped off.   Rottela Panduga is considered a novel way of thanksgiving to Baara Shaheed( 12 warriors) by devotees after their wishes get fulfilled following a visit to the Dargah.

It became a tradition to exchange rotis to mark the special occasion which has become famous as the Roti festival. Devotees believe that their wishes will come true if they visit dargah during the festival. Devotees make different wishes related to education progress, health, wealth, marriage alliances and so on.  This year devotees were making wishes for the development of AP.

District administration had made elaborate arrangements for pilgrims.  AP minister P.Narayana, Mayor Abdul Azeez and Muncipal Corporation commissioner Chakdradhar are supervising the arrangements of the festival.  E-Toilets have  been arranged for women. Parking lots were arranged temporarily and are illuminated.  Many private Organizations have also come forward to help the devotees by distributing water, food and guiding them.