Naini Rajender Reddy opens Shakambari Festival at Warangal Bhadrakali Temple

Warangal West MLA Naini Rajender Reddy inaugurated the annual Shakambari Festival at the Sri Bhadrakali Temple in Warangal on Wednesday, where he offered special prayers for rainfall to address the ongoing dry spell in the region. The festival commenced with traditional rituals, drawing local leaders and numerous devotees to the historic temple.

Upon his arrival at the temple, MLA Rajender Reddy was accorded a traditional Purna Kumbham welcome by the temple’s chief priests and trust board members. He initiated the festival by lighting the ceremonial lamp and offering prayers to the presiding deity of the temple.

Following the welcome, ritual honours were performed amid the chanting of Vedic hymns. Reddy proceeded to offer prayers at the shrines of Sri Mahaganapathi and Sri Anjaneya Swamy. He then performed special pujas dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali, formally declaring the annual Shakambari Festival open.

Addressing the gathering after the rituals, Rajender Reddy expressed that he felt deeply privileged to have the opportunity to inaugurate the festival. He specifically spoke about the dry spell currently affecting the region, noting that he prayed to the deity for timely rainfall. He expressed his hope that weather conditions would improve soon and that the people of Telangana would be blessed with good health and prosperity.

In his address, the MLA also made an appeal to the visiting devotees, urging them to cooperate fully with the temple administration and authorities. He emphasized that devotee cooperation is essential for the smooth and orderly conduct of the multi-day festival. He concluded by seeking the continued blessings of Goddess Bhadrakali for the well-being of all people in Telangana.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by several prominent officials and temple representatives, including Sunitha, the Assistant Commissioner of the Endowments Department, and Sheshu, the Temple Chief Priest. Temple trust representatives, local political leaders, and a large number of devotees were also present to witness the start of the festival.