Srisailam Temple Brahmotsavam Erupts in Protests Over Darshan Delays
Vijayawada: The ongoing Brahmotsavam festival at the revered Srisailam temple was marred by significant unrest as devotees expressed their anguish through protests, citing excessively long waiting hours and a severe lack of proper darshan arrangements. The situation escalated when pilgrims, particularly those observing the sacred Shiva deeksha, voiced their frustrations over being forced to stand in queues from the early hours of the morning until the afternoon without any clear information on darshan timings.
Mounting Frustration Leads to Tense Confrontations
Tension gripped the temple premises when a group of devotees, after enduring waits from as early as 5 am until noon, attempted to breach the security barricades in a desperate bid for darshan. Reports indicate that several women devotees tried to step out of the queue to stage a spontaneous protest, which prompted immediate intervention by the police forces deployed at the site. The authorities briefly detained and pacified the agitating devotees before ensuring they were eventually provided with darshan, thereby restoring a semblance of calm to the holy grounds.
Many devotees openly criticized the temple administration for what they described as poor queue management and inadequate facilities. They highlighted that those wearing the Shiva mala, a symbol of their devotion, were subjected to prolonged hardship despite the festive occasion, which is meant to be a time of spiritual joy and celebration.
Temple Officials Defend Arrangements Amid Heavy Rush
In response to the mounting complaints, officials from the Srisailam Devasthanam clarified that special arrangements have been put in place for Shiva deeksha devotees from February 8 to February 12. They explained that sparsha darshan, or touch darshan, is being allowed at designated times exclusively for devotees adorned with the Shiva maala, while only normal darshan is being offered to the general public to manage the overwhelming rush of pilgrims.
The temple administration also outlined the measures taken to alleviate the situation, including:
- Special waiting facilities set up at the Chandravati kalyana mandapam, featuring four compartments.
- A continuous supply of breakfast and drinking water for devotees in the queues.
- A dedicated queue specifically established for Shiva deeksha devotees to streamline their darshan process.
Temple Executive Officer M Srinivasa Rao personally reviewed the arrangements and appealed to devotees to maintain patience. He assured that all possible measures are being implemented to ensure a smoother and more organized darshan experience throughout the duration of the festival, emphasizing the administration's commitment to addressing the concerns raised by the pilgrims.
