Durgashtami Celebrated on Grand Note at Srisailam temple

Kurnool: As part of the Dasara Mahotsavam on Sunday, a series of sacred rituals were conducted at the Srisailam temple to celebrate Durgashtami. These rituals included morning pujas, special kumkuma archana, navavarana archana, japam, parayana, Surya namaskaram, chandi homam, panchakshari, bhramari, bala japanushtanam, chandi parayanam, Chaturveda recitation, and kumari puja, all dedicated to Goddess Bhramaramba Devi.

In the evening, rituals such as Rudra homam, Rudra yagna japam, Rudra parayanam, Veda recitation, navavarana archana, kumkuma archana, and chandi homam were performed. Kumari puja, an important tradition in Navratri celebrations, was carried out traditionally every day. During Kumari Puja, girls aged two to ten are worshipped, and offerings like flowers, fruits, and new clothes are made.

As part of the Navadurga alankaram during the Navratri Mahotsavam, the utsavamurty of Goddess Bhramaramba Devi was adorned as Mahagowri on Sunday. Mahagowri is considered the eighth form of Navadurga by scholars. Nandi vahana Seva was also performed as part of the vahana sevas held for Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi during these festivities. In this vahana seva, the utsavamurty was decorated on the Nandi vahanam, and special pujas were conducted.