The annual Sravana Masam observances at the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple in Srisailam opened on Thursday with the temple administration outlining preparations to handle heavy pilgrim traffic and announcing changes to several ritual schedules for the holy month.
Month-long programme and pilgrim arrangements
Pothugunta Ramesh Naidu, chairman of the Srisailam Temple Trust Board, and executive officer M. Srinivasa Rao said the Sravana Masam calendar will run until 12 September. They indicated that the board is making arrangements for accommodation, drinking-water provision, sanitation and vehicle parking to cope with the expected surge of devotees.
Officials also said steps have been taken to ensure comfortable darshan facilities and continuity of regular Arjitha Sevas and distribution of Anna Prasadam on ordinary days during the month.
Suspension of certain sanctum rituals on specific days
To manage crowds and streamline pilgrim movement on peak days, the temple administration has suspended a set of sanctum rituals on specified dates during Sravana Masam. The suspensions include Garbhalaya Abhishekam (anointing in the sanctum), Samuhika Abhishekam (mass anointing) and Kumkumarchana on particular days identified as high-footfall occasions.
On these days, devotees will be permitted only Sparsha Darshan of the deity and that too during night hours. In addition, the early-morning Garbhalaya Abhishekam has been put off on three Tuesdays of the month.
| Event | Dates / Days affected | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension of Garbhalaya Abhishekam, Samuhika Abhishekam, Kumkumarchana | Sravana Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays; Varalakshmi Vratam; Sravana Purnima (total 19 days) | Only night-time Sparsha Darshan permitted on these days |
| Morning Garbhalaya Abhishekam suspended | 18 August, 1 September, 8 September (Tuesdays) | Morning anointing deferred on these dates |
Free mass Varalakshmi Vratams to be held on three Fridays
The Trust Board announced that three free mass Varalakshmi Vratam sessions will be conducted during Sravana to facilitate devotees wishing to observe the vrata. The sessions are scheduled on the second, third and fourth Fridays of the month, with fixed participant capacities for each sitting.
- 21 August — second Friday: session open to 1,500 participants.
- 28 August — third Friday: session for 1,000 designated Shiva Sevaks (temple volunteers).
- 4 September — fourth Friday: session for 1,500 participants, comprising 750 married women from the Chenchu community and 750 other married women.
The chairman and executive officer said the free mass sessions aim to make the vrata accessible to ordinary devotees and to accommodate community groups and volunteers in an organised manner. On ordinary days when suspensions are not in force, Arjita Abhishekam, Samuhika Abhishekam and Kumkumarchana will continue as usual.
Impact for pilgrims and local services
Devotees planning a visit to Srisailam during Sravana Masam are advised to note the altered timing of certain rites and the night-only access on listed days. The administration’s measures on accommodation and water supply are intended to manage large numbers, but pilgrims should plan travel, overnight stays and vehicle parking in advance.
Local transport operators and accommodation providers in and around Srisailam can expect increased demand through until 12 September. The Trust Board’s advance notice of the suspended rituals and fixed-capacity Varalakshmi sessions is designed to reduce confusion at the ghat and inner-mandir areas during peak-time observances.
Ramesh Naidu and M. Srinivasa Rao underlined the need for cooperative conduct by pilgrims and volunteers to ensure smooth conduct of rituals and crowd management throughout the month.
Devotees seeking further details on darshan timings, seva bookings and accommodation may approach the temple’s administration offices for updated schedules and instructions.
