The centuries-old ‘Paruveta Utsavam’ (mock hunting festival) is a significant event observed at the Ahobilam Sri Narasimha Swamy temple in Andhra Pradesh. Celebrated during ‘Kanuma’ (a day after Makar Sankranti), this festival involves the deity from the shrine spending 40 days in the 32 tribal hamlets around Ahobilam. Paruveta Utsavam 2025 at Ahobilam Temple begins on January 15.
Historical and Cultural Context
- Temple and Deity: The festival is celebrated at the Sri Narasimha Swamy temple in the town of Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh. The temple is dedicated to Lord Narasimha, an avatar of Lord Vishnu.
- Origins:
- According to folklore, Lord Vishnu, in his Narasimha avatar, married Maha Lakshmi, who was born as a tribal girl named Chenchu Lakshmi.
- The Kurnool District Gazetteers (1881) document several beliefs of the Chenchu tribes, including their reverence for Ahobila Narasimha as their brother-in-law, whom they invite home for Makara Sankranti.
Modern-Day Relevance
- Communal Harmony: The festival promotes communal harmony, as it is celebrated by people from all sections of society, regardless of caste. Devotees from other religious communities, including Muslims, also participate in the festivities and offer prayers.
- Cultural Integration: The involvement of tribal communities in the festival highlights the integration of indigenous cultures with mainstream Hindu traditions, preserving and celebrating local folklore and customs.
Festival Activities
- Deity Procession: During the festival, the deity from the temple's inner sanctum is taken to the 32 Chenchu tribal villages surrounding Ahobilam for 40 days.
- Mock Hunting Ritual: The festival starts with the tribals aiming their bow and shooting two arrows at the deity's palanquin, symbolizing their reverence and protective cover over the deity.
- Narasimha Deeksha: The Chenchus take ‘Narasimha Deeksha’ by wearing yellow robes and ‘Tulasi Mala’, observing celibacy during this period.
- Temple Staff Participation: The temple staff stay in these hamlets for the entire period, reflecting a historically casteless society with no hints of untouchability.
Lesser-Known Facts
- Extended Celebration: While Paruveta rituals are commonly observed in many temples during Vijayadashami or Sankranti, at Ahobilam, it is uniquely extended for a ‘mandala’ (forty days), emphasizing the deep-rooted tradition and the bond between the deity and the tribal communities.
- Symbolism: The mock hunting festival symbolizes the relationship between nature and spirituality, depicting the Lord Narasimha as part of the tribal ecosystem and community.
- Tribal Reverence: The Chenchu tribes regard Lord Narasimha not just as a deity but as a family member, reinforcing the unique spiritual bond between the tribes and the divine.
The Paruveta Utsavam at the Ahobilam Sri Narasimha Swamy temple is more than just a festival; it is a celebration of cultural heritage, communal harmony, and the unbroken bond between the deity and the tribal communities. The festival's observance over centuries highlights its enduring significance and the preservation of traditional customs in contemporary society