In gratitude of protection from Tsunami in 2004, Fishermen in Visakhapatnam offer prayers to 'Gangamma'

New Delhi, Dec 27: Fishermen in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam offer prayers to Goddess Gangamma every Dec 26 expressing their gratitude for "protecting" them during the tsunami that hit the city in 2004. Since 2004, the fishermen and their families have been performing pooja to Gangamma on Dec 26.

 

 

 

 

 

They believe that the temple of Goddess Mahakali on the shore of the city had protected them from the fury of the tsunami. Since then, the fisherfolk of Pedajalaripeta have been celebrating Gangamma Puja with fervour. As per the reports of ANI, a fisherman said that during Gangamma Puja, none of the fisherman venture into the sea for fishing.

 

 

 

 

 

"We strongly believe that tsunami would not affect us. On December 26, 2004, when Tsunami hit the coast, none of us was affected and not a single boat was damaged except water hitting the coastal area. This is a way of thanking the goddess for protecting us," said some fisherman. Another fisherman said that prevent such tsunamis from coming, Gangamma mother was worshipped under the guidance of the villagers with special pooja and milk abhishekam.

 

The Mayor said that the biggest loss of life happened because there was no proper warning system at that time usually earthquakes in the sea would trigger a series of ocean waves and those waves would come to the land. The fishermen and locals in the Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu paid tributes to those who lost their lives in the 2004 Tsunami, on the 18th anniversary of the catastrophe. On the occasion, more than 500 fishermen and women came together from Muthunagar to Singharathoppu beach, carrying milk and flowers in their hands.