Teppotsavam Concludes Dasara Celebrations at Srisailam Temple

When the sun slipped behind the Nallamala hills on Tuesday, a soft murmur rose from the crowds gathered around the sacred tank of Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple. It was the moment devotees had been waiting for – the Teppotsavam, the traditional float festival that traditionally signals the end of Dasara festivities.

Earlier that day the temple precincts buzzed with a series of fire‑rituals that feel both ancient and oddly contemporary. First came the Chandi Homam, a fierce invocation of the goddess’s power, followed by the thunder‑filled Rudra Homam and the auspicious Jayadi Homam. Each ceremony was conducted at its own yagashala – the sacrificial pavilions where priests, known as ritviks, fed the sacred fire with coconuts, fragrant oils and fresh garments, all according to scriptural instructions.

When the final offerings – the purnahuti – were tossed into the flames, the priestly chorus sang the Kalashodvasana, a ceremonial closing that symbolically releases the divine energy stored in the kalashas. The water that had sanctified those kalashas was then poured over the presiding deities, Lord Mallikarjuna and Goddess Bhramaramba, as a mark of reverence.

All this solemnity, though, gave way to a splash of colour and music as the Teppotsavam began. The idol of Sri Bhramaramba Devi, resplendent in eight arms, each holding a different weapon – trident, dagger, mace, sword, bow, shield and a heavy iron club – was placed on a beautifully decorated float. Alongside her, the idol of Lord Mallikarjuna rode the Nandi Vahanam, a majestic bull-shaped vehicle that seemed to glide over the water.

Flanked by the board of trustees – chairman Pothugunta Ramesh Naidu, executive officer M. Srinivasa Rao and other members – the procession floated gently, illuminated by oil lamps that flickered like fireflies. The crowd cheered, some wiping tears, others snapping pictures, all caught up in a shared sense of closure and renewal.

After the float ritual, the Acharyas and Brahmins who had overseen the homams were presented with fresh garments and laddus, a sweet offering that is as much a thank‑you as a token of blessing. The day ended with a quiet darshan, the temple management having tweaked entry arrangements to make the experience smoother for the throngs of devotees.

For anyone unfamiliar with the tradition, the Teppotsavam is more than a visual spectacle. It’s a reminder that even after the fervour of Dasara’s battles and victories, the divine presence remains steady, gliding on water, waiting for the next cycle of worship.