Tribals trained as priests

Khammam,Oct,30: Tribals living in the  remote forest have now stepped into holy temples. These  tribals  who were  once treated as the   downtrodden  and  outcasts are now  becoming  `poojaris’ or priests  to  offer prayers and to perform the rituals as the priests of the temple.In the past  the  tribals  were  prohibited from entering into the temples leave alone  offering  prayers or conducting  rituals. Most  of the tribals living in the  remote   hilly areas either used to worship either the trees or  stones as their  gods and  goddesses.Of  late  these  tribals have taken to temples.

About 30 members from  various  tribes in  Khammam district were trained in chanting  the slokas  and offering of prayers  to their gods and goddesses for  various  occasions.This  training was imparted  to them  by  Thirumala Tirupathi Devastanam at Tirupathi. The tribes who belong to Kunavaram, Vararamachandhrapuram and Chinthuru mandals of Khammam district have become priests and they  are attired in priestly  clothes  now.Mr. Podicheti Ramachandhra Charyulu priest of Sri Sitha Rama Chandhra Swamy temple in Bhadhrachalam evolved an action plan for training   the  poojaris or piriests.  He said that in the coming days  even  fishermen  will be  trained as poojaris.  It is  believed once these poojaris offer prayers  day  by  day  the peace will prevail  in  those  villages.