The auspicious ‘Sravana Masam’ celebrations began on a grand note at the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple in Srisailam on Thursday.

Srisailam temple Trust Board chairman Pothugunta Ramesh Naidu and executive officer M. Srinivasa Rao said that Sravana Masam celebrations will be held till September 12, and a large number of devotees are expected to visit the temple during this period. They said arrangements are being made for the accommodation, drinking water supply, comfortable ‘darshan’ facilities, ‘Arjitha Sevas’ for the presiding deities on regular days, distribution of ‘Anna Prasadam’, sanitation, and vehicle parking.

For the convenience of ordinary devotees, ‘Garbhalaya Abhishekam’ (sanctum sanctorum anointing), ‘Samuhika Abhishekam’ (mass anointing), and ‘Kumkumarchana’ have been completely suspended on specific days during Sravana Masam, including Sravana Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, as well as ‘Varalakshmi Vratam’ and ‘Sravana Purnima’ (totalling 19 days).

‘Udayastamana Seva’, ‘Pratahkala Seva’, and ‘Pradosha Kala Seva’ have been fully suspended. On these days, ‘Sparsha Darshan’ of the deity would be permitted only during the night hours. Additionally, Garbhalaya Abhishekam during the morning hours has been suspended on August 18, September 1, and September 8 (all Tuesdays). On other ordinary days during the month of Sravana, Arjita Abhishekam, Samuhika Abhishekam, and Kumkumarchana will continue as usual.

The Chairman and EO announced that free mass Varalakshmi Vratams (ritual prayers dedicated to Goddess Varalakshmi) would be conducted on three occasions during the holy month for the convenience of devotees. These mass Varalakshmi Vratams are scheduled for the second Friday (August 21), third Friday (August 28), and fourth Friday (September 4) of the Sravana month.

Each session of free Varalakshmi Vratam will accommodate 1,500 participants. The second session is specifically designated for 1,000 Shiva Sevaks (temple volunteers). The third session will specifically accommodate 750 married women from the Chenchu community and 750 other married women.

Published - August 13, 2026 07:55 pm IST