Maha Sivaratri Brahmotsavams begin with ‘Dhwajapatam’ at Srikalahasti

Maha Sivaratri Brahmotsavams begin at Srikalahasti with traditional flag hoisting, marking the festival's significant launch.

The Maha Sivaratri Brahmotsavams at Srikalahastheeswara Swamy Devasthanam commenced on Wednesday with the traditional hoisting of the sacred ‘Dhwajapatam’ atop the temple flag post. Known as ‘Kodi Utsavam’, the temple priests participated in the ritual and hoisted the flag amid chanting of the hymns.

According to mythology, the day is called ‘Devaratri’ and assigned great significance. The flag was hoisted atop the gold-gilded flag post situated opposite the main sanctum sanctorum.

A ‘homam’ was performed ahead of the event and holy water sprinkled on the flag post. Saris presented by devotees were adorned to the flag post ahead of hoisting. The flag hoisting is meant to signal the launch of the annual festival.

As local MLA Bojjala Sudheer Reddy was away on official duty in Vijayawada, his mother, B. Brundamma, and his spouse, B. Rishitha Reddy, participated in the vent on his behalf. They were accompanied by temple trust board Chairman Kotte Saiprasad, Executive Officer T. Bapi Reddy and BJP State vice-president Kola Anand, among others.

Meanwhile, the ‘Pancha Moorthis’ were carried in a grand procession through the town on a silver Ambari, an event known as ‘Gramotsavam’.

State Bank of India (SBI), on the other hand, presented 200 dhotis and t-shirts to the ‘Vahanam’ bearers and ‘Sripada Sevaks’ working in the temple. Similarly, drug dealers came forward to offer medicines to the temple.