Rathostavam dazzles at Srisailam temple

Srisailam: The dazzling spectacle of the Rathostavam of Lord Siva in the streets of Srisailam on Ugadi day sent lakhs of devotees in to ecstasy and pure bliss. The idols of presiding deity Siva and his consort were taken in procession on a Chariot on the main streets of Srisailam on Thursday on Telugu New Year Day Ugadi. Lakhs of devotees from all over the state participated in the Rathostavam with devotional fervor and gaiety. The priests brought the idols in silver palanquin from the sanctum sanctorum up to the Chariot and placed them there. The chariot procession started as the priests recited Vedic hymns. Folk arts like Lambadi Chekka Bhajana, Bhirappa Dolu, Nandi Kolu, Mahila Kolatam and Buttabommalu were on display and entertained the devotees. After the going though the main streets of the temple town, the deities were brought back to the temple.

Ugadi fete: kannada pilgrims display martial arts Around four lakh devotees from Karnataka visited Srisailam temple to offer prayers to Lord Mallikarjuna Swami on Thursday on the occasion of Ugadi festival. According to the long tradition, lakhs of devotees from Karnataka trek to Srisailam temple to worship Lord Mallikarjuna and Sri Bramarambhika Devi every year during Ugadi festivities. The devotees performed special pujas and rituals on the occasion. The Karnataka pilgrims displayed martial arts wielding swords and knives and hurting themselves with spears and other sharp weapons. They also walk on the fire dressed in special costumes, all to appease the goddess Bramarambhika Devi.