Srisailam temple readies for Mahasivaratri with special darshan arrangements

Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple at Srisailam has been decked up for the Mahasivaratri festivities beginning on Sunday, with priority being given to ensuring smooth darshan and accommodation facilities for visiting devotees.

Srisailam temple Executive Officer M. Srinivasa Rao said on Saturday that during the 11-day festivities, all arjitha and paroksha sevas would remain cancelled and only alankara darshan would be facilitated for devotees. However, those who have undertaken Siva Deeksha and visit the temple with Jyothirmudi will be permitted sparsha darshan at specified timings. Sparsha darshan will not be allowed from 7.30 p.m. on February 13 till the night of February 18.

Break darshan for VIPs will be allowed in three slots during the morning, afternoon and evening to ensure uninterrupted darshan for common devotees.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that three separate queue lines have been arranged for the convenience of devotees. The free darshan queue will start from Radhashala, with 25 compartments arranged to accommodate waiting devotees. A separate queue line has been provided for elderly persons, the physically challenged and mothers with infants. Devotees observing Siva Deeksha have also been given a separate queue line from Chandravathi Kalyanamandapam, with four compartments arranged for waiting.

He said drinking water would be provided in all queue lines and emergency exits have been arranged to handle any eventuality. As offering Jyothirmudi is a tradition for devotees on Siva Deeksha, special counters have been set up on Patalaganga Road for the purpose.

The temple management has decided to make available 35 lakh laddu prasadams during the festivities, and one free laddu will be provided to every devotee. Special free bus services will be operated within the temple town, while 30 wheelchairs have been placed at the donation counter for use by those in need.

Drinking water will be supplied through 34 R.O. plants and 450 water taps across the temple town. Similar drinking water arrangements have been made for devotees arriving on foot from far-off places at Venkatapuram, Nagaluti, Peddicheruvu, Bheemuni Koluvu, Kailasa Dwaram, Hatakeswaram, Sakshi Ganapathi and other locations. Facilities for vehicle parking have also been arranged across the temple town.