Surge In Devotee Footfall At Vaishnavite Shrines During Sravana Masam
Special bus services introduced on high-density pilgrimage routes across AP
KURNOOL: Temples across Andhra Pradesh are witnessing an unprecedented influx of devotees during the auspicious Sravana Masam, with thousands of worshippers lining up for puja and prayers mainly at Vaishnavite shrines and goddess temples.
Considered one of the holiest months in the Hindu calendar, Sravana Masam sees devotees observing special special prayers mainly on Fridays, Saturdays and Tuesdays. Temples and the APSRTC are making elaborate arrangements to handle the surge in pilgrim presence.
In Kurnool district, the Urukunda Eeranna Swamy temple in Yemmiganur constituency has emerged as a major attraction during this festive season.
“We have deployed 20 special buses exclusively for devotees visiting the Urukunda Eeranna Swamy temple during the Sravana festivities. Additional services would be introduced if the rush increases further,” said M Maddileti, depot manager, APSRTC, Emmiganur.
The Gandi Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple in Pulivendula constituency of YSR Kadapa district has been receiving thousands of devotees every weekend. Temple authorities estimate that nearly 30,000 devotees visited the shrine the previous Saturday alone.
“Special bus services are being operated to Gandi and other major temples. We are prepared to introduce additional services wherever necessary,” said K Ramesh, regional manager, APSRTC Kadapa.
The historic Devuni Kadapa Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy temple is crowded with devotees since the beginning of Sravana Masam. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams that manages the temple has arranged special rituals and pujas to accommodate the increased footfall.
The renowned Ontimitta Kodanda Rama Swamy temple also sported a festive atmosphere, attracting devotees from various districts.
Elsewhere in the state, major temples including the Kanaka Mahalakshmi and Simhachalam in Visakhapatnam, Dwaraka Tirumala in Eluru district and the Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada are witnessing a steady stream of devotees.
The Indrakeeladri shrine has initiated special crowd-management measures in view of the heavy rush.
APSRTC officials estimate that nearly 250 additional buses may be operated across Rayalaseema alone during the Sravana season, which will continue until mid-September.
The festive season has triggered a sharp increase in the prices of flowers and fruits used for worship. The price of roses, which hovered around `300 per kilo until recently, has doubled to more than `600. Prices of chrysanthemum, jasmine and crossandra flowers have also risen significantly.
“Flower prices increase during Sravan and Karthika masams. This year, lower production has further pushed up the rates across markets,” said Shaik Rahamath Baba, a flower trader at the Kurnool Flower Market.
Meanwhile, APSRTC buses are witnessing a remarkable increase in women passengers due to the state government's free travel scheme for women under the Stree Shakti programme. Officials estimate that nearly 80 per cent of the devotees visiting temples during the season are women.
“We expect more than 30 lakh additional passenger trips in Rayalaseema alone during Sravana Masam. The free travel scheme has encouraged women to undertake pilgrimages in large numbers,” an APSRTC official said.
