Kurnool: Lord Mallikharjuna Swamy temple at Srisailam witnessed a huge rush of devotees on the occasion of Kartika Purnima on Sunday. Devotees began visiting the shrine early in the morning. Given the auspicious month of Kartika, the temple authorities have made special arrangements to facilitate the heavy footfall for darshan.
The worshippers were allowed to have darshan from 4:30 am to 4 pm and again at 5:30 pm. Arjitha Chandi Homa and Rudra Homa were conducted in two sessions. Arjita Abhishekam and Samuhika Abhishekams have temporarily been suspended for providing hassle-free darshan to devotees. Authorities were providing breakfast, biscuits and fresh water to visitors waiting in queue lines during the holy month.
In the early hours, Dashavidha Haratis (ten types of offerings of camphor) -- Omkara Harati, Naga Harati, Trisula Harati, Nandi Harati, Simha Harati, Surya Harati, Chandra Harati, Kumbha Harati, Nakshatra Harati and Karpura Harati were offered to the presiding deities and Pushkarini after performing special pujas to the Utsava Murtis (procession idols) of the deities. To the amazement of worshippers, a huge eight-foot cobra also appeared in the Uma Ramalingeswara Swamy Mandap, opposite the sanctum sanctorum of the temple during the rituals. However, the temple staff requisitioned a snake catcher who captured the reptile and released it into the nearby forest.
