- By Jasreet Kaur
- Thu, 20 Jul 2023 06:11 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Tomato, has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons lately, from murder of tomato farmer to tomato theft, owing to the sharp increase in tomato prices across the nation. In a related occurrence involving tomatoes in the Anakapalli area, the father of a little girl offered tomatoes weighing as much as the girl to the local deity, Goddess Nookambika.
Malla Jagga Appa Rao and Mohini, a married couple from Anakapalli town, brought their daughter Bhavishya to the Sri Nookambika Ammavari temple at Gavara Veedhi in Anakapalli to fulfill their yearly vow of 'Tulabharam'.
A couple in Ankaplle performed ‘Tulabharam’ of their daughter, donated 51 kg of Tomatoes to the presiding deity Nukalamma. The temple authorities announced that they will utilize the expensive vegetable in the ‘Nitya Annadanam’. #AndhraPradesh #TomatoPrice pic.twitter.com/vxDA8KqQuM
— Azmath Jaffery (@JafferyAzmath) July 18, 2023
The couple conducted the rite for their daughter using tomatoes at a time when tomatoes were selling for anywhere between Rs 150 and Rs 200 in the market, drawing attention from everyone in the community. They gave 51 kilos of tomatoes to the shrine. To witness the 'Tulabharam', a sizable crowd assembled.
During the ceremony, Appa Rao claimed that 'Tulabharam' had become a yearly tradition for his family. They provide veggies and jaggery each year. This time, in light of the rising cost of tomatoes, we chose to perform the ritual using vegetables. They asked the temple administration to incorporate tomatoes into the 'annadana' programme.
According to the temple authorities, worshippers often carry out the ceremony at the temple using the well-known Anakapalli jaggery, sugar, rice, fruits, coconuts, and cash. Some individuals even present silver or gold cash or jewelry at revered temples. The Ammavari temple provides 'annadana prasadam' every day. These tomatoes would be used for the 'prasadam'.