Grand Celebration of Goddess Paidithalli Festival* *Thousands of Devotees Offer Prayers to the Goddess* *Gantla Couple Presents New Attire to the Goddess* *Distribution of Prasadam and Soft Drinks at the Temple*

Simhachalam: Indian News Times:June 9: The festival of Goddess Sri Paidithalli—sister of Lord Simhadri Natha and the presiding deity of seven villages—was celebrated with great grandeur on Tuesday.  This festival, held annually in the second week of June, was celebrated with great grandeur this year under the auspices of the Simhachalam Devasthanam, the hereditary priests (the 'Landa' family), and the village festival committee. At dawn, the Goddess was awakened with the *Suprabhata Seva* (morning awakening ritual) and worshipped

. Thousands of devotees, who had already gathered in queues, were granted the opportunity for *Darshan* (viewing the deity). Devotees from surrounding villages flocked to the temple to offer turmeric and vermilion (*pasupu-kumkuma*) and fulfill their vows. Devotees also had the opportunity to worship Goddess Paidithalli alongside her sister, Goddess Bangaramma. Simhachalam Devasthanam officials made comprehensive arrangements to ensure the devotees faced no inconvenience.

Gantla Couple Offers New Attire to the Goddesses*

On the occasion of the festival, Mr. and Mrs. Gantla Srinubabu offered new garments to Sri Paidithallamma and Goddess Bangaramma—the sisters of Lord Simhadri Natha. Mr. Gantla serves as the Honorary President of the Sri Sattemma Thalli and Maridimamba Temple Committees, a former member of the Simhachalam Devasthanam Board of Trustees, a special invitee, and a secretary for both the National Union of Journalists and the Andhra Pradesh Working Journalists Federation. The couple worshipped the powerful Goddesses and performed special rituals.

*Distribution of Prasadam and Soft Drinks*

Under the auspices of the Sri Ganesh Youth Service Association, *Prasadam* was distributed to devotees at the Paidithalli temple...  Committee members distributed refreshments and soft drinks to the devotees. Several members participated in this event, which was held under the leadership of Gantla Srinubabu, President of the Sri Ganesh Youth Service Association.