Dasara festival at Srisailam temple to begin on September 22

‘Yagashala Pravesham’ will mark the beginning of the Dasara festival at Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple at Srisailam, on September 22 (Monday). The festival will conculde with Teppotsavams (float festival) with on October 2.

Temple Executive Officer M. Srinivasa Rao told the media on Saturday that special archanas would be performed to the deity of Mallikarjuna Swamy, while special rituals such as Chandi Yagam would be performed to Goddess Bhramaramba.

The processional deities will be adorned with ‘Nava (nine) Durga’ alankarams and Vahana Sevas will be performed in the evenings on the festival days.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said all the regular ‘Kainkaryams’ to Goddess Bhramaramba and Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy will be performed as usual. Sacred silk robes will be offered on behalf of the government on October 1. On the Dasara day, ‘Yaga Purnahuthi’ and other rituals will be performed followed by Teppotsavam in the evening.

The regular Arjitha Sevas like Abhisekham, Kumkumarchana and Kalyanotsavam will be performed as usual, while some rituals like Ganapati Homam, Chandi Homam, Rudra Homam, Mrutyunjaya Homam, Laksha Kumkumarchana, Udayasthamana Seva and Pradoshakala Seva will not be performed.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said LED screens would be installed at Gangadhara Mandapam for the devotees to witness the festivities. Folk artists would perform during the Gramotsavam. The EO said devotees waiting in queue lines will be provided with drinking water and snacks, while medicines will be kept ready in the hospital run by the temple.

The temple and mada streets will be adorned with illuminations and flower decorations. Cultural programmes will be held at Nitya Kalyana Vedika.

Alankaram and Vahana Sevas

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said Goddess Bhramaramba will be adorned in Saila Putri Alankaram on September 22, followed by Brahmacharini Alankaram on September 23, Chandraghanta Alankaram on September 24, Kushmanda Durga Alankaram on September 25, Skandamatha Alankaram on September 26, Katyayani Alankaram on September 27, Kalaratri Alankaram on September 28, Maha Gowri Alankaram on September 29, Siddhidayini Alankaram on September 30, Rama Vani Sevita Rajarajeswari Alankaram on October 1 and as Sri Bhramaramba Devi on October 2.

The Vahana sevas that will be performed for the processional deities are as follows: Brungi (September 22), Mayura (September 23), Ravana (September 24), Kailasa Vahanam (September 25), Sesha Vahanam (September 26), Hamsa Vahanam and Pushapallaki (September 27), Gaja Vahanam (September 28), Nandi Vahanam (September 29), Kailasa Vahanam (September 30), Aswa Vahanam (October 1) and Nandi Vahanam (October 2). The ‘Shami Puja’ will be performed on the Dasara day.