Srisailam temple management restricts privileged darshans on rush days

The darshan for common devotees was being stopped during the Sparsha Darshan and Arjitha Abhisekhams, leading to long waiting hours of up to five to six hours for the common devotees, the EO said

The Sri Bhramarambha Mallikarjuna Swamyvarla Devasthanam, Srisailam took a key decision to restrict special darshans and arjitha sevas for devotees during weekends, government holidays and other days when the pilgrim rush would be more, to facilitate hassle-free darshan to common devotees.

The temple management is facilitating Sparsha Darshan and Arjitha Sevas to the presiding deity of Mallikarjuna Swamy in the sanctum on payment of ticket rate fixed by the Vaidic Committee. Srisailam Temple Executive Officer SS Chandrasekhar Azad took the decision after discussing with the Committee.

Mr. Chandrasekhar Azad said the rush of pilgrims to the temple is increasing day-by-day and an approximate 40,000 devotees are visiting the temple on Saturday, Sunday and the auspicious Monday. The pilgrim rush is touching one lakh during festivals like Mahasivaratri and Ugadi.

Following this, the number of devotees purchasing tickets for Sparsha Darshan, Arjitha Abhisekhams and Samuhika Arjitha Abhisekhams inside the sanctum have increased. The darshan for common devotees was being stopped during the Sparsha Darshan and Arjitha Abhisekhams. This is leading to long waiting hours of up to five to six hours for the common devotees, the EO said.

Devotees are expressing their resentment over the long waiting hours and facilitating early darshan would also prevent any possible stampede-like situation.

Following this, the EO held discussions with the Vaidic Committee and took decision to restrict Sparsha Darshan and Arjitha Abhisekhams on rush days.

Accordingly, the ₹500 tickets for Sparsha Darshanam, ₹5,000 tickets for Arjitha Abhisekhams in the sanctum and also the ₹1,500 mass Arjitha Abhisekhams will not be issued on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, government holidays and other rush days. Only ‘Alankara Darshan’ would be provided. Others like Udayastamana Seva, Pratakala Seva and other Pradoksha Kala sevas would also be restricted on rush days.

Similarly, Kumkuma Pooja at the Mukha Mandapam in the Goddess Bhramarambha temple would also be stopped on rush days.

The online sale of these tickets would also be stopped. Those who have already booked these tickets online, however, would be allowed to perform the Arjitha Sevas and have Sparsha Darshan.

However, the Arjitha Abhisekhams and other Arjitha Sevas being held at the Sri Vruddha Mallikarjuna Swamy temple would be held as usual on rush days.

Published - December 03, 2024 03:46 pm IST