Srisailam brims with crowds of devotees

Kurnool: Lakhs of pilgrims thronged Sri Bramarmba Mallikarjuna Swami temple at Srisailam which was reverberated with sound of 'Om Nashivaya' on the occasion of Maha Sivaratri on Friday.

Other Saivaite temples, Mahanadeeswara temple at Mahanandi, Nagareswara Swami temple in Kurnool, Bugga Rameswara Swami temple in Kalvabugga, Jagganatha temple at B Tandrapadu and Easwara temple of Yaganti in the district, also witnessed heavy rush of devotees on the auspicious day.

Suyranandi, Omkaram, Rudrakoduru, Kolanu Bharathi and other temples were also packed with a large number of devotees. Despite arrangements by authorities, the pilgrims faced some problems like waiting for a long time in queues at various temples.

Special rituals were performed at all Siva temples since early morning across the district. The devotees also observed jagaranam (remaining awake all the night) at various temples.

On the eighth day of 11-day Maha Sivarathri Bhramotsavams at Srisailam temple, several religious programmes, including Prabhotsavam, Nandi Vahana Seva, Lingodbhavakala Maha Rudrabhisekam, Pagaalankarama and Kalynotsavam were performed. Prior to performing these rituals, special pujas were performed to the presiding deities. Chandeeshwara puja was performed at Yagashala.

Prabotsavam was organised on a grand scale with thousands of devotees pulling the chariot with processional deities. Nadaswaram, kolatam, chakka bhajana, shankara damarukam, beerappa dollu, tappet chindu and several cultural events marked the Prabhotsavam. Later, Nandi Vahana Seva was performed.

At Lingodbhavataka Maha Rudrabhisekam, 11 eminent archakas and Veda pundits recited rudra mantras and performed abhisekham to Mallikarjuna Swamy.

Just after completion of Maha Rudraabhisekam, Pagaalankarana was started. Pagaalankarana has great significance at Brahmotsavams. The custom of wrapping the forehead with cloth (paga) is common at every marriage.

Immediately after Pagaalankarana, the celestial marriage was performed to Swamy and Amma varlu. The devotees with great enthusiasm witnessed the celestial marriage of the presiding deities.

The devotees had holy dip in Krishna before thronging the temple. Similarly, celestial wedding of Uma Maheshwara Swamy at Yaganti in Banaganapalle was also performed on a grand note.

The district officials including collector G Veera Pandiyan, SP Fakirappa Kagineli, temple executive officer K S Rama Rao visited all places and personally inspected the arrangements.