Kurnool: Ceremonies marking conclusion of the Kartika Masa Siva Deeksha commenced at the Srisailam temple on Sunday morning. These would continue for five days until Thursday along the Pathalaganga route.
A special pooja was held at the southern gate of the temple, where the Utsavamurtis of Sri Swami and Ammavaru were ceremoniously placed on a palanquin.
Subsequently, Sri Swamy and Ammavaru were part of a procession in Rathaveedhi, accompanied by Vedic mantras. Mangal instruments received special pujas in the Siva Deeksha camps.
A Shodashopacharam ritual was performed for the Utsavamurthy of Sri Swami and Ammavaru. Religious poojadikas were also scheduled in the camps in the morning and evening throughout the Siva Deeksha ceremony.
Devotees who have undergone the Siva deeksha are provided special darshan through the designated queue line at their allotted time. Special arrangements have been for the elderly devotees.
However, due to the convergence of Vaikuntha Ekadashi and the weekend holidays, there was heavy flow of devotees that resulted in traffic congestion between Mukhadwaram and the Srisailam temple. Vehicles lined up for approximately 5km along the ghat road.
Traffic jams were also observed from the Srisailam dam to Lingalagattu and Eegalapenta.
In response to the influx of devotees, the temple authorities had announced the suspension of Garbhalaya Abhishekam and Samuhika Abhishekam from Saturday to Monday. Instead, devotees are provided an opportunity for darshan in four installments every day.
