River Krishna ghats glow with earthen lamps on ‘Poli Swargam’ Day

Devotees conclude Karthika Masam celebrations by releasing lit earthen lamps into River Krishna in ritual 'Poli Swargam'.

A day after Karthika Amavasya (new moon day), devotees reached the banks of River Krishna and released lit earthen lamps in the river on Monday.

Devotees gathered in the early hours to bid farewell to Poli, the idol, to heaven. The month-long Karthika Masam celebrations came to an end with devotees taking part in ‘Poli Swargam’ rituals. 

‘Poli Swargam’ is observed on Poli padyami, the first day of Margasira masam of the Telugu calendar. 

During the early hours, devotees, especially women, reached the bathing ghats to take a dip in the river and pray for the well-being of their families.

Durga Ghat, which is close to Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanam, was chock-a-block with devotees of all ages.

Women with their children tucked in their arms came in groups to complete the rituals of ‘Poli Swargam’.

After bathing in the river, they bathed the idols in cow’s milk, placed them on pieces of banana stalks, lit them, and released them into the river.