Srisailam Kick-starts Telugu New Year Ugadi

Kurnool: The Srisailam temple ushered the five-day Ugadi Mahotsavams on Thursday with hymns and religious chants that reverberated across the sanctum sanctorum.

The archakas started the ritual process with recitation of sankalpam for the well-being of nation, followed by Maha Ganapathi pooja. They later performed Kankana Pooja and also lit up Akhanda Deepam which means to purify the tempe premises. The day ended with Kunkumarchana and Navavarchana pujas.

The temple authorities have made special arrangements keeping in view of heavy rush of the pilgrims. Temple Executive Officer (EO) Narayana Bharath Gupta said that special queue complexes have been set up for devotees and additional staffers were put out.

The Srisailam temple holds a significance, as lakh of devotes visit the temple to fulfill their Ugadi vow. Apart from Telugus, even pilgrims from Maharashtra and Karnataka come to take a darshan of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy. The devotees hope their wishes would be fulfilled with the offerings to Goddess Bhramaramba Devi and Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy. They walk about 800 km in 15 days to reach the famous pilgrim shrine.

The Forest Department has started giving permission to allow the vehicles with offerings up to 15 km transit point at Peddacheruvu so that the pilgrims could camp, cook food, take rest and resume their journey.