The Karthika Masotsavam at the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple in Srisailam will run from November 10 to December 9. Expecting heavy crowds, the Devasthanam has changed several services. Trust Board chairman Pothuganti Ramesh Naidu and Executive Officer M. Srinivasa Rao announced the details.
Services suspended at the main temple
- The ₹5,000 garbhalaya abhishekam and ₹1,500 samuhika (collective) abhishekam will be suspended during the festival, especially on crowded days.
- Ticket sales for the Udayasthamana, Pratahkala and Pradosha Kala sevas have been stopped.
- The ₹1,000 kumkumarchana, usually held in the Ammavari antaralayam, will move to the Ashirvachana Mandapam on crowded days.
- Arjitha homams and the Kalyanotsavam will continue as usual.
₹216 abhishekam at the Pancha Mathas
Devotees can perform abhishekam themselves on the Shivalingas at five Pancha Mathas: Ghanta Matham, Bhimashankara Matham, Vibhuti Matham, Rudraksha Matham and Sarangadhara Matham. The ticket costs ₹216.
How to book
November tickets for sparsha darshan and 14 arjitha sevas are now online. 80% of the quota is on the state's Manamitra WhatsApp service (95523 00009) and 20% on the official portal, www.tms.ap.gov.in. After a recent inspection, the chairman ordered three more laddu counters, including one for women, and drinking water for devotees in queues.
Preparations have begun in Tirupati too. TTD will hold Karthika Masa homams at the Sri Kapileswara Swamy temple from November 10 to December 8. A couple can join one day's homam for ₹500. Traditional dress is mandatory.
