Dasara Festival at Srisailam Temple

Devi Sarannavaratrulu is a festival of nine days beginning from the first day of Aswayuja month (the 7th month of Indian Lunar Calendar) which generally falls in September or October. The important events of this utsavam are performing of Chandiyagam, Rudrayagam, Navadurga alankaras to Goddess and Vahana Sevas to God and Goddess besides several special poojas. Goddess Bhramaramba Devi is mainly worshiped in these utsavams.

The celebration begins with the Ganapathi pooja followed by the Kalasa Sthapana and ends with Poornahuthi.

On every day of celebrations various religious rituals like Srichakrarchana, Navavarana pooja, Anustanams, Devi Sapthasathi Parayanas, etc., besides Yagams are performed. Apart these Kumari Pooja, Suhasini Pooja are also conducted at evening hours. In the Kumari Pooja girls within the age group of between 2 to 8 years and in Suhasini Pooja Soubhagyavati (a women whose husband is living) are worshiped as deities. The Dampathi (Couple) Pooja is also took part on Mahanavami day i.e., on the 9th day in which pooja is offered to five couples. This day closes with the offering of sacrificial rice, breaking of pumpkins, coconuts etc., to the Goddess as Satvikabali.

After completion of nine days, on the day of Dasara festival Poornahuthi of Chandiyagam and Rudrayagam are performed in the day time. On that evening Sami Pooja (worship to Prosopia tree) is performed. It is said that by seeing the Sami pooja one can get victory in his activities.

The Navadurga Alankaras offered to utsava Vigraham of Goddess Bhramaramba in these utsavams are Saila Putri (Parvathi), Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmandadurga, Skandamatha, Katyayini, Kalaratri, Mahagouri and Siddhidayini. In the evening hours of every day special poojas are performed to these Alankaramurthies.

Apart the above various Vahana Sevas viz., Bhringivahanam, Mayuravahanam, Ravana Vahanam, Kailasa Vahanam, Hamsavahanam, Seshavahanam, Nandivahanam, Gaja Vahanam and Aswavahanam are offered to God and Goddess.

The procession of both the Alankaram, and Vahanam are arranged on a grand manner every day.

2016 Dates : 1st october to 11th october.