KURNOOL: Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy received Sahasra Ghatabhishekam at the Srisailam Temple on occasion of the Tholi Ekadasi on Thursday.
Temple authorities said the Sahasra Ghatabhishekam is for AP to receive timely and abundant rains, enable healthy crop growth and ensure overall prosperity of the state. Deputy chief minister Kottu Satyanarayana attended the Ghatabhishekam.
For the ritual, priests, devotees and guests had collected holy water in 1,000 Kalasams from revered rivers, such as Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati and Krishnaveni, as well as from sacred ponds, like Manohara Gundam and Mallikagundam. Priests performed abhishekam with these Kalasams.
The Sahasra Ghatabhishekam commenced at the Vrudda Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple and lasted for four hours, amid chanting of mantras by 16 Vedic scholars and priests.
As part of the festivities, a three-feet-high wall had been constructed around the holy Shiva Linga in the Mallikarjuna Swamy sanctum sanctorum. The water poured on the Shiva Linga during the abhishekam will be retained for 24 hours, symbolising the divine presence of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy. The water will be drained in the early hours of Friday.
Tholi Ekadasi witnessed special rituals at also other temples in the temple town, including Pathaleswara, Nandeeswara, Ankalamma and Bayalu Veerabhadra Swamy temples.
Srisailam MLA Shilpa Chakrapani Reddy, Devasthanam Trust Board chairman Reddivari Chakrapani Reddy, executive officer S. Lavanna, trust members and senior officials were present on the occasion.
