Amaravati February 26, 2014: The main entrance of Sri Amareswara Swamivari Devastanam at Amaravati, decorated for Mahasivaratri Brahmotsavams in Guntur district on Tuesday.

Lakhs of devotees to throng Kotappakonda and Amaravathi

All arrangements have been made for ‘Kotappakonda Tirunallu’, which began on the hill shrine on Tuesday.

The Endowments, Revenue, Police, Rural Water Supply, AP Transco, APSRTC and Forest departments have made elaborate arrangements for the annual festival.

Lakhs of devotees from A.P. and the neighbouring States, throng the temple to have a glimpse of Sri Trikoteswara Swamy, during the auspicious hours of Maha Sivaratri.

The ‘tirunallu’, also known as ‘Prabala Utsavalu, began on Tuesday, and more than 50 ‘Bala Prabalu’ reached the shrine.

More than 2,000 police personnel have been deputed for bandobust duties. Three police controlrooms and mobile patrolling have been arranged for the peaceful conduct of the utsavams.

The Endowments Department arranged pandals and barricades for the devotees. APSRTC is running nearly 600 buses from various depots for ‘Kotappakonda Tirunallu’, and a separate bus stand has been arranged for the pilgrims. The devotees will offer 11 types of ‘naivadyams’ to the deity during the festival.

At Amaravathi

Sri Bala Chamundika Sametha Sri Amareswara Swamy Devastanam, located at Amaravathi town, was decked up for Maha Sivaratri Brahmotsavams, which began on Monday. The utsavams would be celebrated up to March 2.

The temple management will perform ‘Yedurkolu Utsavam’ at 1 a.m. to the deities on Maha Sivaratri day on February 27. ‘Gramotsavam’ would be performed on ‘Chilula’ and ‘Nandi’ vahanams and ‘rathotsavam’ on the next day. The Endowments officials illuminated the temple for the week-day utsavams. Priests will perform ‘abhishekams’, ‘vasantotsavam’ and ‘purnahuti’ during the festivities.

Cultural programmes, bhajans, stage plays and spiritual discourses would be arranged during the ‘brahmotsavams’, said the temple authorities.