Devotees offer tomatoes in 'Tulabharam' to Goddess at a temple in AP's Anakapalli dist

A couple from the Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh offered tomatoes to Goddess at Nukalamma temple in Tulabharam. The incident attracted many devotees, who came to have a darshan of Goddess, as prices of tomatoes have been spiralling not only in Telugu states, but also across the country.

Anakapalli:With skyrocketing prices of tomatoes in the country, strange incidents are happening. Some farmers are becoming millionaires overnight by selling tomatoes. In some incidents, thieves are stealing tomatoes from farmers. Hence, CCTV cameras are being installed in some places to guard the tomatoes. A vegetable vendor in Varanasi of Uttar Pradesh hired bouncers to protect tomatoes at his shop. Therefore, social media was flooded with memes and jokes about tomatoes.

Another incident recently came to light in Andhra Pradesh. A couple offered 'Tulabharam' with tomatoes at Nukalamma temple in Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh. 'Tulabharam' has become a special attraction as a kg of tomatoes are being sold for more than Rs 160. The devotees, who came to the temple, witnessed the 'Tulabharam' in awe.

Appa Rao and Mohini of Anakapalli offered tomatoes in 'Tulabharam' to Goddess at the Nukalamma temple equal to the weight of their daughter Bhavishya. Over 51 kg of tomatoes have been offered to Goddess. The Devasthanam officials said that these will be used in the Nityannadanam programme of the temple.

Temple officials said that they will use 51 kgs of tomatoes in the Nityannadhana programme. The Nityannadhana programme is where the devotees are served a free meal in the temple. The rate of the 1 kg tomatoes is around Rs 160 in the local markets of both the Telugu states. It may be noted that the practice among Hindus, and even among the other communities to perform 'Tulabharam', weighing one against materials and offering to God.