The recently unveiled statue of Adivasi woman Pokala Dammakka of the bygone era, known for her indefatigable devotion to Lord Rama, on the famed Sri Sitaramachandra Swamy temple premises in Bhadrachalam has enriched the spiritual ambience ahead of Mukkoti (Vaikunta) Ekadasi festivities beginning next week.
The life-like figure was carved by sculptors from Tiruvuru in Andhra Pradesh and installed at a vantage point on the temple precincts easily visible to the devotees.
The artistically carved statue depicting the Adivasi woman worshipping Lord Rama, his consort Sita and brother Lakshmana has become a major attraction for devotees visiting the shrine from far and wide.
Dammakka’s name occupies prominent place in the annals of the glorious history of the temple built by Kancharla Gopanna (Bhakta Ramadasu), the then tehsildar of Palvancha paragana during the Qutb Shahi regime in 17th century.
The life-like statue of Dammakka is not only an impressive piece of art work but it symbolises the everlasting spiritual bond between Adivasis and the Bhadradri shrine in the temple town, the tribal heartland, remarked Jagadeesh, a devotee from Khammam.
It exemplifies the hoary past of the famed temple providing an insight into its chequered history, he remarked.