Srisailam Organises Bonfire, Showers Bhogi Pandlu

Kurnool: The Srisailam Devasthanam on Sunday organised the Samuhika Bhogi as part of the with Sankranti festivities. Authorities organised Bhogi Mantalu in the early hours. Subsequently, priests showered jujube fruits on children up to the age of five, as is the custom. More than 150 children were blessed with the shower.

The Bhogi programme commenced in the morning with priests and Vedic scholars reciting the Sankalpa, followed by Ganapathi Puja. Subsequently, they performed Shodashopachara Pujas for the Utsavamurti of Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bhramaramba Ammavaru. After the Pujas, a fistful of fruits, small sugarcane pieces, and flower petals were circled around each child's head three times before being placed on the child. Mandaparadhana, Panchavaranarchana, Rudrahoma and Chandihoma rituals followed in accordance with the Agama Shastras.

Sunday evening witnessed Pradosha Kalapujas and Homam, followed by Japanushtanas and Ravanavahana Seva to Sri Swami and Ammavaru. All temple priests and staff, led by the temple executive officer D.Peddiraju, gathered at Gangadhara Mandapam near the temple's main gate to perform special pujas as part of the Bhogi Mantalu.

As per an estimate, more than 2 lakh devotees reached Srisailam until Sunday evening to witness the Kalyanam of Swami and Ammavaru. They all took a holy dip in Pathala Ganga. Due to the heavy rush, general darshan took 5–6 hours and special darshan 3–4 hours.