Traditional fervour marks ‘Kumbotsavam’ celebrations at Srisailam

The annual ‘Kumbotsavam’ was performed in a traditional manner at Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple in Srisailam on Tuesday.

As part of Kumbotsavam, a ritual which is performed on the first Tuesday or Friday (whichever comes first) after Pournami in the month of Chaitra, ’satvika bali’ is offered to goddess Bhramaramba. Pumpkins, coconuts, lemons and cooked rice are offered as bali (sacrifice). Temple executive officer (EO) M. Srinivasa Rao, trust board members, temple priests and vedic pundits participated in the ritual.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that nearly 25,000 pumpkins, 5,000 coconuts and nearly one lakh lemons and rice was offered as satvika bali. A large quantity of vermilion and turmeric was also offered to the goddess during the ritual. In the morning, special pujas were performed at the temple. Later, satvika bali was offered to goddess Bhramaramba and also to goddess Mahishasura Mardini at Hari Hararaya Gopuram.

A man dressed in woman’s attire offered ‘Kumbha Harathi’, after which satvika bali was offered for the second time.