Sahasra Ghatabhishekam performed at Srisailam temple

As part of the ongoing ritual propitiating gods for timely and adequate rains, Sahasra Ghatabhishekam of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy was performed at the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple, Srisailam on Monday.

Monday was the fourth day of the ongoing five-day Varuna Yagam Sahitha Sahasra Ghatabhishekam being organised by the Devasthanam at the temple. The fourth day Ghatabhishekam commenced with special rituals in which Endowments department Additional Commissioner S S Chandrashekhara Azad, Trust Board Chairman Pothugunta Ramesh Naidu, Executive Officer M Srinivasa Rao and others participated.

As part of the proceedings, various rituals were performed by the temple priests. Abhishekam was performed using the sacred waters of the Krishna River and the holy waters of the Mallikagunda located within the temple premises. Some 36 ritviks from various regions are participating in this program, alongside the temple priests and Vedic scholars. 

The priests performed rituals for the sacred Krishna River at Pathalaganga and brought the holy river water back in ceremonial vessels (Kalashams). The priests carried the water vessels on their heads amid traditional music and the chanting of Vedic mantras, they proceeded to the Nandi temple. They performed Abhishekam and other rituals for Lord Nandishwara, followed by the village deity Goddess Ankalamma and the guardian deity Lord Veerabhadraswamy. 

Later, the priests carried the water vessels to the main temple and after performing rituals at the Akka Mahadevi Alankara Mandapam within the temple complex, the Sahasra Ghatabhishekam (ritual bathing with a thousand pots of water) of Lord Mallikarjuna, amid ritual chanting of Rudra mantras, was performed.

Upon the completion of the Ghatabhishekam, the Mahanivedana, Neerajana and Mantrapushpa ceremonies are scheduled to conducted. For the occasion, a temporary wall, three feet in height, was erected across the entrance to the Lord’s sanctum sanctorum to ensure that the deity remains immersed in the Ghatabhishekam waters throughout the day.