The tribal Baduga community in the Nilgiris district of Tamil nadu is celebrating their annual Heddaiyamman festival today.<br />''<br />''In this connection, thousands of devotees clad in the traditional white dress of the community flocked to places like Kannerimukku and Kerbetta near Kotagiri and Hallu Kerai near Coonoor to pay obeisance to their presiding deity.<br />''<br />''People observe 48 days fast and walk in religious processions, holding up a holy shaft which symbolizes the miracle of the traditional Badaga goddess.<br />''<br />''The celebrations will continue throughout the coming week in different villages including Petthala, Beragani, and Ketti.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The Badagas are an indigenous tribal group in the Nilgiris and occupy more than 400 remote hill villages in the district.</span><br />