Pending Srisailam works to be completed before Sivaratri

ANANTAPUR: The Srisaialam Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy & Goddess Bramarambika Temple is gearing up for the Maha Shivaratri Brahmotsavam.

A large number of devotees are expected for prayers and other rituals from various states. The temple authorities were busy this week arranging the facilities for devotees by completing the pending works before the start of Brahmotsavam.

Recently, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated several developmental works at Srisailam but several of these are yet to be in their full form. Temple executive officer S. Lavanna along with engineering officials have reviewed the pending works.

The hill town sees huge arrivals of devotees on Padayatra, Shiv Mala etc especially during Shivaratri. “We aim to complete all the works well in time for the festival,” the executive officer said.

The temple town was busy with various development programmes including arranging the Salu Mandapas and connectivity circuit with all the Pancha Mathas. The temple Pushkarini, which is also called as Sarasvi Pushkarini and Pancha Mathas, is under reconstruction.

In the temple premises, the flooring with tiles was not done well. The engineering wing would make changes.

Further, the Salu Mandapam construction at the north side of the Goddess temple was pending. The EO issued necessary clearances to complete the works in time and by maintaining the traditional similarity of the mandapams on the other side.

As part of safety steps, a grill will be set up opposite to the East face of the main temple. This would facilitate devotees to have darshan of the Pushkarini at Srisailam.

A garden with landscaping will be developed with plants connected to spirituality such as Bilwam, Kadambam, Usiri, Deva Ganneru etc grown on the open site.

Devotees from Karnataka and Maharashtra along with Shivamala devotees throng the temple in large numbers. Several instances of poor facilities have been cited by devotees in and outside the temple. The authorities are planning to conduct the festival in an orderly manner, including in the walkathon route along the Nallamala forest.