A heartfelt call of “Shiva!” is enough to invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva, believe devotees. Scriptures describe “Shiva” as the embodiment of auspiciousness. Therefore, devotees say that surrendering to Lord Shiva brings peace and prosperity. At Parvathi Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple in Vijayawada, this faith takes a vibrant cultural form during Maha Shivaratri.
Sacred Hill Shrine on the Krishna River
The temple stands atop Yanamalakuduru hill on the banks of the Krishna River. Here, Lord Shiva manifests as Vayu Linga, which holds special spiritual significance. Ancient sages performed intense penance in this region. As a result, people once called it “Veyi Munula Kuduru,” meaning the land of a thousand sages. Over time, the name evolved into Yanamalakuduru.
According to belief, Lord Parashurama reinstalled the Shiva Linga here. Because Parashurama represents Lord Vishnu’s incarnation, devotees regard the shrine as a Shiva-Keshava Kshetram. Local legends also state that Lord Rama and Sita worshipped here during their exile.
Grand Three-Day Prabhalu Utsavam
Maha Shivaratri celebrations at Yanamalakuduru last for three days. However, the main attraction remains the spectacular Prabhalu procession. Devotees treat these towering decorative structures as symbolic representations of Lord Shiva. During the festival, organisers decorate the Prabhalu with dazzling lights, traditional music, and majestic bulls.
Authorities granted official permission for 40 major Prabhalu this year. In addition, smaller Prabhalu circle the hill from early morning. The temple’s main Prabha begins its procession at 7 pm on Sunday. Subsequently, others follow in sequence and continue the Giripradakshina until Monday morning.
70-Foot Structures Light Up the Night
Nearly 60 Prabhalu, including unofficial ones, take part in the grand procession. Many of them rise up to 70 feet in height and glow with colourful electric lights. Devotees mount these structures on massive stone-wheeled chariots and pull them around the hill. Significantly, no other place in the state conducts such a large-scale simultaneous Giripradakshina of Prabhalu.
Moreover, the festival features vibrant cultural performances. Artists present Radha-Krishna Kolatam, Koya and Harini folk dances, and Betala costumes. Consequently, the entire village transforms into a spiritual carnival filled with devotion and tradition.
Police Restrictions and Security Measures
To ensure safety, police imposed strict guidelines on the celebrations. Officials restricted Prabhalu’s height to 60 feet. They also banned DJs, film songs, and dance performances. Furthermore, authorities prohibited political flex banners during the event.
Heavy security arrangements are in place, and officials established a special police outpost near the hill. These measures aim to maintain order while allowing devotees to celebrate peacefully.
With spiritual fervour, dazzling lights, and centuries-old traditions, Yanamalakuduru’s Maha Shivaratri Prabhalu festival stands as one of Vijayawada’s most spectacular religious events.
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