The Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Srisailam is making elaborate preparations for Shivaratri Brahmotsavam
1 March: The Sri Bhramaramba Sametha Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Srisailam is gearing up for the 11-day Maha Shivaratri Bramotsavam starting March 1. Special attention is given to preparations for padayatra devotees trekking through the Nallamala forest to reach the temple town on foot.
About 10 lakh devotees from AP, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra and other places are expected to participate in the auspicious events. The important events of Brahmotsavam, Pagaalankarana and Kalyanotsavam of Swamy and Ammavaru will be held on March 10.
Up to 200 temporary rest huts and tents were set up in the open spaces, each hut offering space for at least 3,000 people. For the convenience of trailers, all sheds have a locker system. More than 500 temporary bathrooms and toilets have been provided.
Three queues have been set up: one for free darshan, another for Siva Deeksha devotees and a third for special darshan priced at Rs 200 or Rs 500 per head. Around 40 lakh laddus have also been prepared for distribution.
During the 11 days of Bramostavam, cultural events are planned daily from early morning to late night. On March 1, the festival begins with Yagashala Pravesham, Siva Sankalpam, Ganapathi Puja in the morning and Dhwajarohana in the afternoon. Maha Shivaratri, Lingodbhavakalam, Mahabhisekham, Pagalankarana and Kalyanotsaham are celebrated on March 8. On March 9, Rathotsavam and Theppotsavam would be held, followed by Dwajarohanam on March 10 and Pushpotsavam and Shayanolsavam the next day.
Authorities at Kanaka Durga Temple will offer silk clothes to Lord Srisaila Mallikarjuna Swamy and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi on March 3. On March 4, TTD and Kanipakam temple officials will perform a similar tradition, followed by state government officials offering silk clothes on March 5.
Maha Shivaratri Brahmotsavam is celebrated in the month of Magha and lasts for 11 days with Navahnika Deeksha. Dhwajaarohanam is a significant event at the beginning of Brahmotsavam and symbolizes the invitation to all gods and goddesses. The Lingodbhavakala Abhishekam at midnight during Maha Shivaratri is an important ritual.
The unique custom of Pagaalankarana is observed in the temple where a weaver, in complete darkness, decorates a long new white cloth called Paagaa, starting from the Sikhara of Swamy’s Vimana Gopuram to the Nandi idols in the Mukha Mandapam. A fascinating aspect is that the weaver decorates the paagaa in complete darkness and during this time all lights in the temple are switched off. The fabric used in the Pagalankarana is handwoven by weavers with special effort throughout the year. Normally, weavers make about 30 paagaas individually as vows and all the paagaas are decorated at the same time by a single weaver. After Pagalankarana, Kalyanotsavam is performed.
(Source: Deccan Chronicle)