The Brahmotsavams commenced with Kannappa Dhwajarohanam on Friday evening, followed by Srikalahastheeswara Dhwajarohanam on Saturday.
Srikalahasteeswara Devasthanams
Tirupati: The temple town of Srikalahasti witnessed the grand commencement of ‘Shivaratri Brahmotsavams’ at the Vayulingeswara Swamy temple on Friday. The annual festival, which is set to continue until March 6, has been organised with an estimated budget of Rs 7 crore to facilitate the participation of thousands of devotees.
One of the major attractions of this year’s celebrations is the elaborate lighting and decoration of the temple, which includes permanent lighting installations on 295 inner pillars and 150 outer pillars. The addition of laser lighting serves as a special highlight for visitors.
The Srikalahasteeswara Devasthanams have introduced multiple darshan categories such as VIP darshan, sarva darshan, special darshan, quick darshan, and Antaralaya darshan to ensure a smooth flow of devotees. Local residents can purchase advance tickets at a discounted rate by presenting their Aadhaar proof, with the Rs 500 ticket available for Rs 200. Special queue lines have also been put in place for better crowd management.
A substantial influx of devotees is expected, especially on Maha Shivaratri day, February 26, when nearly 2-3 lakh pilgrims are anticipated to visit the temple. Additionally, over one lakh devotees are projected to take part in the Giri Pradakshina on March 2.
Security measures have been heightened under the supervision of SP V. Harshavardhan Raju, with drones and 400 CCTV cameras deployed across the premises. A centralised command control room has been set up to monitor the proceedings, and a GPS-based tracking system has been introduced for children under 14 to ensure their safety in crowded areas.
Ministers A. Satya Prasad, Anam Ramnarayan Reddy, and Vangalapudi Anitha have held multiple coordination meetings with district collector Dr S. Venkateswar, Srikalahasti MLA Bojjala Sudhir Reddy, and temple executive officer T. Bapi Reddy to oversee the arrangements. MLA Sudhir Reddy has also invited dignitaries from across the country to witness the grand festival. "We welcome all devotees to take part in the Maha Shivaratri celebrations. Every effort has been made to ensure a spiritually fulfilling and seamless experience for all visitors," he stated.
The Brahmotsavams commenced with Kannappa Dhwajarohanam on Friday evening, followed by Srikalahastheeswara Dhwajarohanam on Saturday. From February 24-26, female devotees visiting the Goddess Gnana Prasunambika temple will be presented with traditional offerings, including blouse pieces, turmeric, kumkum, and bangles. February 27 has been designated as a day for local devotees, offering them free darshan and Anna Prasadam. Another significant event, the Kalyanotsavam of Lord Soma Skandha Murthy and Goddess Prasunambika, is scheduled for February 28.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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