‘Teppotsavam’ marks end of Dasara festivities at Srisailam

The ‘Teppotsavam’ being performed for the processional idols of Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy on the temple tank at Srisailam on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Various rituals, including the ‘Chandi Homam’, ‘Rudra Homam’ and ‘Jayadi Homams’ were performed on Tuesday, the final day of the Dasara festivities at Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple in Srisailam. The day ended with a Teppotsavam (float festival) for the presiding deities on the temple tank.

The ‘Purnahuti’ (concluding offering) for the ‘Chandi Yagam’ was performed at the ‘Yagashala’ (sacrificial pavilion) of the goddess, and the Purnahuti for the ‘Rudra Yagam’ was conducted at the Yagashala of the Lord. This was followed by the ‘Kalashodvasana’ rituals (ceremonial conclusion of the worship of ‘Kalasham’).

During Purnahuti, offerings including coconuts, various aromatic substances and new garments were ceremoniously consigned to the sacred sacrificial fire in accordance with scriptural injunctions.

As part of the proceedings, the sanctified water from the primary Kalashas used in the Chandi Yagam and Rudra Yagam was offered to the presiding deities — Lord Mallikarjuna and Goddess Bhramaramba.

The Acharyas, Brahma and ‘Ritviks’ (priests) who participated in the rituals were honoured with sacred garments and laddu prasadam. The event was attended by chairman of the Board of Trustees Pothugunta Ramesh Naidu, executive officer M. Srinivasa Rao and members of the Board of Trustees.

On the final day, the processional deity of the goddess was adorned in the form of Sri Bhramaramba Devi. The goddess appeared with eight arms, holding various weapons, including a trident (shula), dagger, mace, sword, bow, shield and a heavy iron club (parigha).

Meanwhile, the presiding idols were taken out in a procession on the ’Nandi Vahanam’ in the evening.

On the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami, ‘Shami Puja’, the worship of the Shami tree, was performed within the temple premises. The processional idols were brought on the Nandi Vahanam to the Shami tree, where special prayers were conducted.

In the night, the Teppotsavam for the presiding deities was held at the temple ‘Pushkarini’ (temple tank). The float was decorated with a variety of flowers and electric lights.

A diverse array of flowers was used for the decoration, including red and yellow marigolds, white and yellow chrysanthemums, ‘Kanakambaram’ (firecracker flowers), Dutch roses, ‘Kagadalu’ (bougainvillea), orchids, ‘Nandivardhanam’ and ‘Garudavardhanam’.

Published - October 21, 2026 01:42 pm IST