10 lakh devotees visit Kotappakonda shrine on Mahasivaratri

Large numbers of devotees thronged the revered Kotappakonda shrine in Palnadu district, along with other famous Siva temples such as the Amaravati Temple, to observe the night-long vigil and rituals as part of the Mahasivaratri festivities on Sunday (February 15, 2026) and Monday (February 16).

Farmers from villages in Palnadu, Bapatla, Guntur, and other districts arrived on agriculture tractors and other vehicles for the Kotappakonda festival, turning the hill shrine into a sea of humanity.

Palnadu Superintendent of Police B. Krishna Rao on Monday told The Hindu that nearly two lakh devotees had darshan at Kotappakonda, while an estimated 10 lakh people witnessed the electric and normal chariots procession and celebrations. Over 25,000 vehicles, including two-wheelers, cars, tractors, and maxi trucks, converged on the temple town. Authorities arranged 120 shuttle buses exclusively for ghat movement and 530 buses from Vinukonda, Narasaraopet, and Chilakaluripet to ensure smooth movement.

The SP said that there was close coordination with the district administration with “absolutely no communication gap” during planning and execution. Notably, the traditional system of issuing VIP darshan passes was eliminated this year. Instead, online paid tickets with time slots were introduced, regulating crowd flow and preventing the surge witnessed last year when around 20,000 VIP passes were distributed. The move was widely appreciated by common pilgrims and public representatives alike.

Extensive parking facilities spanning nearly 100 acres of endowment land were developed with lighting and a dedicated exit route to prevent traffic snarls. Additional exit roads were levelled, lit, and equipped with makeshift culverts to ease the early morning exodus after 3 a.m.

CCTV cameras and drones monitored queues and traffic, while sector-wise drone briefings, radium markers, signages, and GPS coordinates enhanced on-ground management, ensuring a smooth and incident-free celebrations.