WARANGAL: The Inavolu jatara began on a grand note at the Mallikarjuna swamy temple here on Sunday.
Temple priests performed special rituals and decorated the preceding deities Mallikarjuan Swamy, Golla Kethamma and Balija Medalamma in new clothing.
Rituals like Dwajaraohanam, Punyahavachanam, Mahanyasapurvaka and Rudrabhishekam marked the beginning of this three month long jatara.
Thousands of people from near and far visit the temple during this time of the year and raise temporary settlements on the temple complex and perform rituals.
Families perform Bonalu with unique rangoli called as Patnam as offering to lord Shiva. The Yadava and Balija communities patronise Mallikarjuna Swamy. The devotees dress up as Pothurajus and Shiva Sattulu dance in a trance. Thousands of pilgrims from across the district and neighbouring districts take part in the event and fulfil their vows.
With Medaram Jatara coming up in two weeks, the devotees coming to this temple are expected to swell this year. The jatara will go on till Ugadi festival with a grand celebration of Sivaratri.
Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari visited the temple along with his family members on Sunday. MLAs Vinay Bhaskar, Aroori Ramesh, Mayor N. Narender and other leaders accompanied him.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kadiam Srihari wished all the devotees on the occasion of Sankranti and said the state government has put in a lot of efforts in improving the facilities at Inavolu temple. Along with CCTV cameras, the compound wall, high mast lights etc were set up in the past three years. The Kakatiya thoranam on the western side is also being erected, he said.
The temple dates back to 11th century and was built by a minister Ayyanna Deva of Kakatiya Kingdom, hence the name Inavolu. It was built with 108 pillars and has a magnificent Nruthaya mandapam on the eastern side.
The presiding deity Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy is considered as one of the incarnations of Lord Shiva.
