Dasara festivities commence at all major temples across Nandyal district

The Dasara Navaratri festivities began on a grand note across all the major temples in Nandyal district on Sunday.As part of the celebrations at the renowned pilgrimage site of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Ahobilam, the ‘Thirumanjana Seva’ (celestial bath ritual) was performed with great devotion on Sunday. The Thirumanjana Seva was conducted for Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy using sacred waters amid the chanting of Vedic mantras.The darshan of the Lord and the special rituals evoked a sense of devotion among the devotees at Ahobilam. Devotees prayed for longevity, health, prosperity, and happiness for all, seeking the blessings of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy.Meanwhile, at Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple in Srisailam, the ‘Sri Devi Sarannavaratri Mahotsavams’ commenced in accordance with the tradition and scriptural injunctions. As part of the festival proceedings, the temple board of trustees chairman Pothugunta Ramesh Naidu, executive officer M. Srinivasa Rao accompanied by his spouse, along with the presiding priests, Sthanacharyas, temple priests, Vedic scholars, and officials, entered the temple in a traditional manner, carrying turmeric, vermilion, fruits, and flowers.To mark the commencement of the festivities, rituals such as ‘Yagashala Pravesham’ (entry into the ritual pavilion), ‘Ganapathi Puja’, ‘Deeksha Sankalpam’ (vow of observance), ‘Kankana Puja’ and ‘Kankana Dharana’ (consecration and tying of the sacred wristband), and ‘Ritvigvaranam’ (selection of officiating priests) were conducted in the Goddess’s temple pavilion.For the welfare of the world, a ‘Sahasra Chandi Parayana-sahita Shata Chandi Maha Rudra Yagam’ was conducted for the first time this year during the Sri Devi Sarannavaratri festival.‘Kumari Puja’, a ritual in which a young girl aged between two and ten years is worshipped with offerings of flowers, fruits, and new clothes, will also be performed daily as part of the Dasara festival, the officials said.As part of ‘Navadurga Alankaram’ (adornment in the nine forms of Durga) during the Navaratri celebrations, the presiding deity was adorned as Goddess Shailaputri in the evening. The ‘Bhringi Vahana Seva’ was also performed in the night as part of the ‘Vahana Seva’ (divine vehicle procession) rituals conducted for the Lord and Goddess during the festivities. Published - October 11, 2026 08:00 pm IST