The five-day Ugadi Mahotsavams began on a grand note at Sri Bhramarambha Mallikarjuna Swamy temple in Srisailam on Thursday (March 27).

The festivities started with Yagasala Pravesham of Lord Mallikarjuna by temple priests followed by Vedaparayanam. This was followed by Ganapati Puja, Punyahavachanam, Chandiswara Puja and other rituals. In the evening, Ankurarpana was performed. On the first day, the processional deities of Goddess Bhramarambha and Lord Mallikarjuna were taken out on a ride on Brungi Vahanam on the four Mada streets while the presiding deity of Goddess Bhramarambha was adorned in Mahalakshmi avataram.

Meanwhile, the Nandyal police have made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the festivities, which attract a large number of devotees. Superintendent of Police Adhiraj Singh Rana said six deputy superintendents of police, 40 circle inspectors, 100 sub-inspectors, 1,500 civil police personnel, 200 personnel each from Armed Police and AP Special Police and 100 personnel from special party police were deployed for bandobust.

The temple town is under surveillance with 800 CCTVs and three drones. Bomb Disposal teams were pressed into service at the entry points while door frame and hand-held metal detectors were being used to search the devotees.

The police have also made arrangements for the smooth flow of traffic leading to Srisailam and also in the temple town. “To ensure free flow of traffic from Shikaram to Sakshi Ganapathi, Hatakeswaram, Tollgate and other parts of the temple town, 15 Blue Colts and 10 Rakshak vehicles have been pressed into service. These vehicles will monitor the flow of traffic and rush to the place of traffic snarls,” the SP said.

Mr. Adhiraj Singh Rana said towing vehicles have been arranged for to shift vehicles that breakdown on the routes leading to the temple town. Two deputy superintendents of police and two circles inspectors were deployed for traffic duties, he said.