Denkada: A tree cutting ceremony was organized for Pidithalli Sirimanu on Saturday at Chandakapeta village of Denkada mandal of Vizianagaram district. Devotees believe that Ullas Pidithalli appeared in the chief priest's dream and indicates where the tree is located. As per the instructions of the goddess, temple officials and people used to go near the identified tree and cut down, and transfer its trunk to the city of Vizianagaram so that it could be converted into Sirimanu. The temple's chief priest Bantupalli Venkatarao, Collector A Surya Kumari, MP B Chandrasekhar, MLA B Apalanarasaiah and others participated in the rituals.

As per the guidance of the deity, this year the tree identified as Sirimanu is located in the field of farmers Ch Ramalakshmi and Cha Padmavati of Chandakapeta village of Denkada mandal. On Saturday, officials and locals visited the tree, offered prayers and cut the tree. The owner of the tree considers himself lucky, as it is a great occasion for him to offer his tree for the Sirimanu festival of Goddess Payidthalli. The mega event Sirimanu Sambharam will be held on 19 October.

Sirimanothsavam, also known as Sirimanu Panduga is a festival organized to appease the goddess Piddithallamma of Vizianagaram town. Siri means "Goddess Lakshmi in other words wealth and prosperity" and Manu means "trunk" or "log". Temple priests take out processions between the fort and the temple three times in the evening. The priests present to the goddess themselves used to tell a few days in advance where this Manu would be available. Only logs have to be brought from that place. It is organized every year in the month of September or October (Dussehra). It is a great carnival which is attended by two to three lakh people from neighboring towns and villages. The king of Vizianagaram oversees the arrangements for this event.

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