SRUNGAVARAPUKOTA TALUK.
Lies west of Vizianagram and includes a considerable area in the Agency from the foot of the lower slopes of the 3,000 feet plateau up to its main crest round about the great Gálikonda hill (p. 6). This part of it is reached by the Anantagiri ghát (p. 137) and drains southwards into the Sárada river, while the low country is included in the basin of the Chittivalasa river. The appearance and inhabitants of the latter area resemble those of the rest of the plains.
The undermentioned places deserve a note: —
Dharmávaram: A thriving trading village of 3,317 inhabitants lying three miles east by north of Srungavarapukóta. In its hamlet Sanyásipálem is a shrine to a sanyási which is known all over the low country and resorted to by people of all castes. This ascetic, say the legends, came to the village centuries ago at a time when the local goddess, Paiditalli, insisted on having a meal of human flesh every day. At the earnest prayer of the people, he pronounced powerful spells which bound her down to her temple and prevented her from getting out to seize her victims. She complained bitterly of the pangs of hunger she suffered in consequence, but he told her she must do the best she could on the offerings which were voluntarily brought to her. When the sanyási eventually died, the greatful villagers put up a shrine to him and under his image tlierein they buried some magical emblems he had made. These are now declared to make the cattle give milk in plenty, to care those possessed of devils and to grant offspring to the childless. Children born after vows to the shrine are called Sanyáasi, and the name is astonishingly common round about this village. When any worshipper supplicates for a boon, the pújári puts a bilva leaf on the head of the sanyási's image, and if it shortly falls off this is taken as a favourable sign.
Jámi, on the south hank of the Chittivalasa river, is the most populous village in the taluk, possessing 5,967 inhabitants. It is a union, and contains many Bráhmans. Drinking-water is obtained from the river and the cremation ground is up-stream. The shrine of the local goddess, a deification of a Bráhman woman who committed sati, is held in much local repute for the benefits it is supposed to grant to the devout, and a large annual festival is celebrated at it. Near it stand three slabs bearing ancient sculptures of goddesses. The cotton carpets made in the village are referred to on p. 123.
